Reward circuits neuroprosthesis to shape movement execution

Most neurotraumas affecting the control of movements are partial, allowing some recovery of movement with time and rehabilitation. Motivation and persistence through this difficult process are crucial in mediating rehabilitation-dependent recovery, but are negatively affected by the physical and psychological challenges that accompany neurotrauma. We know that the reward network of the brain is involved in both the learning and reinforcement of behavior, as well as the recovery of motor functions after injury, but its conditioning of precise movements in an interventional rehabilitation context has not been attempted. We seek to determine whether brief, temporally precise neurostimulation of this network could help shape and reinforce the execution of targeted movements during rehabilitation, boosting recovery. To this end, we will develop and test the effectiveness of a neuroprosthesis where electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the lateral hypothalamus (a major structure of the reward network) is delivered contingently with the execution of specific limb movements of intact and spinal-injured rats in clinically-relevant motor tasks.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marco Bonizzato

Student:

Partner:

Erasmus University Medical Center

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Technology; Life Sciences (not health); Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: