Our everyday actions, from decision making to motor control, involve information exchange through transient neural synchrony across multiple brain regions. A range of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and dyskinesia could be attributed to dysfunction of this fundamental neural property. To date, the functional and pathological roles of transient neural synchrony remains unknown – a critical link that could be leveraged to identify novel ways of treating a range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

We use brain stimulation to establish the functional role of transient synchrony, and its pathological role in common movement disorders and beyond.

Key Research Areas

• selective neuromodulation – modulating neural activity of interest while sparing other physiological function
• dynamic neuromodulation – adjusting neuromodulation according to the current state of the neural system
• mimicking nature – learning from spontaneous neural processes how to modulate neural synchrony
• closed-loop stimulation
• remote symptom monitoring

Longer-term Perspectives

As our knowledge on neurological and psychiatric disorders increase, we are able to leverage implantable and wearable bioelectronics to deliver adaptable and individually optimised therapies to patients. Our long term research aim is to identify and leverage critical disease mechanisms in order to deliver dynamic therapies using a combination of invasive and non-invasive technologies.

Research Techniques

• Deep Brain Stimulation (sensing and stimulating)
• Theoretical Modelling (single unit to population level models)
• Neuroimaging (EEG, MEG)
• Non-invasive Stimulation
• Signal processing

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunity within our group.