Investigations on acoustic parameters affecting nerve excitability during reversible ultrasound neural stimulation: from ex-vivo animal nerve models down to neural cells

Our brain is constituted of billions of neurons gathered in networks and communicating between each other through electrical impulses. It is possible to impact on this nervous activity through stimulations of various origins including electric, magnetic or acoustic. Indeed, neurostimulation can artificially induce signals within the nervous network, but also modulate the existing signals by either amplifying or attenuating them, which can lead to applications in the management of neurological disorders. The aim of this project is to investigate the long-lasting effects of ultrasound stimulation on nerves ability to transmit a message. We will first work on an animal ex vivo nerve, which will be exposed to focused ultrasound delivering different amount of energy. By measuring and comparing the nerve excitability before and after theses stimulations, we will be able to learn more about the causality between acoustic parameters of the stimulation and its neurological effects. To further this investigation down to the single neuron scale, we will apply an equivalent protocol to neural cells cultures.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jahan TAVAKKOLI

Student:

Partner:

Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Toronto Metropolitan University

Program: