Stimulating Brains

Andreas Horn
  • 4.7 (7)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Stimulating Brains

Andreas Horn interviews experts in the field of deep brain stimulation, noninvasive neuromodulation, functional brain imaging and neuroanatomy. Join us on our quest to interact with the human brain and thank you for your interest in science! Andreas Horn, M.D., Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and associate professor for neurology at Harvard Medical School.

  1. #66: Roxanne Lofredi – Striatal recordings and the stopping triangle: How DBS advances our clinical and neuroscientific knowledge

    JAN 3

    #66: Roxanne Lofredi – Striatal recordings and the stopping triangle: How DBS advances our clinical and neuroscientific knowledge

    In this episode, we have a privilege to talk with Dr. Roxanne Lofredi, a prominent researcher investigating movement disorders and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Dr. Lofredi is based at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and is widely recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to understanding how basal ganglia networks drive motor symptoms in conditions such as dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. Today, we’ll explore two fascinating studies led by Dr. Lofredi. The first focuses on how subthalamic nucleus stimulation impairs stopping of ongoing movements in Parkinson’s disease. This work, published in Brain, was inspired by a foundational basic science study from Aron and Poldrack (2006), which first implicated the subthalamic nucleus as a critical node for motor inhibition within the hyperdirect pathway of the basal ganglia. We’ll discuss how these findings translated to her DBS study and how they may impact DBS therapy. The second part of our conversation will cover her recent publication in Nature Communications, where Dr. Lofredi and her team demonstrate a clear link between striato-pallidal oscillatory connectivity and symptom severity in dystonia. This work highlights the pathophysiological role of the direct pathway within the basal ganglia and opens up new possibilities for targeted therapeutic approaches. In conclusion, Dr. Lofredi shares key insights from her research, bridging the gap between basic neuroscience and clinical application. From understanding motor inhibition in Parkinson's disease to exploring striato-pallidal connectivity in dystonia, her work advances our knowledge and paves the way for more effective DBS therapies.

    1h 27m
  2. #65: Jim McNasby - Transforming Lives with DBS and Advocacy in Parkinson's Disease

    12/23/2024

    #65: Jim McNasby - Transforming Lives with DBS and Advocacy in Parkinson's Disease

    In this episode of Stimulating Brains, we're thrilled to have Jim McNasby join us. Jim is a deep brain stimulation (DBS) patient and the Chief Counsel at the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Jim has an inspiring story, not just as a DBS patient but also as a legal professional working at the forefront of Parkinson’s research advocacy. We’ll dive into his personal experience with DBS—how it has shaped his life since his diagnosis in 2000 and his surgery in 2019—and explore his crucial role at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, where he helps drive forward their mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. I had the pleasure of hearing Jim speak at the Neuromodec Conference, where he shared a powerful story of how DBS transformed his life, even showing a video that vividly captured its positive effects. We’ll talk about that, his DBS wishlist, and the work he’s doing to advocate for patients and drive research. In this episode, we explore his personal experiences, the impact of DBS, and his role in advancing Parkinson's research and advocacy at the foundation. Jim also reflects on the transformative moment when his DBS was first activated and discusses his vision for the future of patient care and innovation in the field.

    1h 15m
  3. #64: Balint Varkuti – Making Use of Side-Effects: Redefining Brain Computer Interfaces with Ceregate

    12/13/2024

    #64: Balint Varkuti – Making Use of Side-Effects: Redefining Brain Computer Interfaces with Ceregate

    Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Bálint Várkuti, a distinguished expert in the field of neuromodulation. Dr. Várkuti is the founder and CEO of CereGate, a pioneering company developing brain-computer interface technologies—referred to as computer-brain interface technologies—that aim to enhance neuromodulation therapies. Before founding CereGate, Dr. Várkuti made significant contributions to image-guided DBS programming solutions at Brainlab. With over a decade of experience in neurotechnology and the medical device industry, his work focuses on designing innovative interfaces between technology and the human brain to improve patient outcomes. For those familiar with DBS, you’ll understand the nuances here: when stimulation of the super-dynamic nucleus in DBS is set too high, patients often experience a tingling or irritating sensation due to overstimulation of sensory fibers. Typically, this side effect is avoided. However, Dr. Várkuti had a groundbreaking insight: This sensation represented a channel of information with the brain – and one could make use of it! In a nutshell, CereGate leverages these overlooked pathways, using them in a patterned and complex way to transmit information that the brain can decode. This approach opens up new possibilities for interfacing with the brain, which we find truly fascinating: This concept that CereGate is exploring might just be the start of a much larger field of innovation.

    1h 33m
  4. #63: Mark McAuley & Susan Boehnke – Patient-led Research, Patient-Centered Care and Neuroscience Education

    11/20/2024

    #63: Mark McAuley & Susan Boehnke – Patient-led Research, Patient-Centered Care and Neuroscience Education

    In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Mark McAuley, a deep brain stimulation (DBS) patient and the CEO of Astronomy Australia Limited, and Dr. Susan Boehnke, an Associate Professor at Queen’s University in Canada and director of the Neurotech Microcredential Program and the Neurotech Discovery Lab. Together, they've been part of remarkable efforts that not only focus on the practical and ethical aspects of neurotechnology but also engage students in real-time research. Mark brings over thirty years of experience in research and development, with a remarkable track record of securing $300 million in Australian Government grants for major research infrastructure projects. Holding degrees in astrophysics, ancient history, and an MBA—where he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s medal as the university's highest-achieving postgraduate student—Mark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010 and received a DBS implant in 2020. Post-surgery, he's been a passionate advocate for better patient care and improved DBS programming to enhance clinical outcomes. Dr. Susan Boehnke completed her PhD in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University and has an extensive background in auditory neuroscience and primate neurophysiology. She led the creation of one of the first non-human primate models of Alzheimer’s disease and established Canada's first non-human primate biobank. In response to the explosion of interest in neurotechnology, she's now pioneering a micro-credential program in neurotech and exploring the ethical issues surrounding it. She's also leading the Training Committee for Connected Minds, a significant research initiative between York and Queen’s Universities. At the recent Neuromodec conference in New York, Mark and Susan presented their work, which emphasizes patient inclusion in research—a theme Dr. Boehnke passionately advocates for—and provides transformative learning experiences for students. Today, we'll dive into their journeys, the science behind their projects, and explore potential insights into the future of patient-led research and education in neurotechnology.

    1h 53m
  5. #62: Daniela Popa & Clement Lena – Unlocking the Cerebellum: From Dyskinesia to Fear Extinction

    11/11/2024

    #62: Daniela Popa & Clement Lena – Unlocking the Cerebellum: From Dyskinesia to Fear Extinction

    In today’s episode, we dive deep into two groundbreaking studies led by Daniela and Clément. We explore their 2022 Nature Communications paper on using cerebellar stimulation to alleviate levodopa-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease and discuss their 2023 paper uncovering the cerebellum’s role in regulating fear extinction through its connections with the thalamo-prefrontal cortex pathway. Along the way, we discuss how these discoveries may open up exciting new possibilities for treating both motor and emotional disorders. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with cutting-edge science and exciting future perspectives!

    1h 49m
  6. #61: Shan Siddiqi – Bringing Human Brain Connectomics to Clinical Practice in Psychiatry

    11/05/2024

    #61: Shan Siddiqi – Bringing Human Brain Connectomics to Clinical Practice in Psychiatry

    In this episode, I was able to talk to Dr. Shan Siddiqi, who is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a researcher at the Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he and his lab focuses on brain circuit therapeutics. Shan’s work bridges the gap between neuroimaging and causality, exploring the mechanisms of brain stimulation and lesions in neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He’s made remarkable strides in understanding the brain circuits involved in these conditions and how we can leverage this knowledge for neuromodulation therapies. Shan has worked on numerous topics that focus at improving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for psychiatric indications by using brain connectomics. Using various causal sources of information, he was able to show that the same network is associated with changes of depressive symptoms in patients with brain lesions, major depression, epilepsy or Parkinson's disease – and this network could be identified using various types of brain lesions, transcranial magnetic or deep brain stimulation sites. More recently, Shan has worked on identifying a novel TMS target for PTSD based on data from penetrating head trauma lesions and TMS sites. He has worked on conceptual papers that revolve around closing the causality gap in neuroimaging, as well as on how to bring connectomics into clinical practice in psychiatry. His recently launched prospective R01 funded trial will aim at prospectively mapping random cortical stimulation sites to various behavioral and clinical outcomes.

    1h 12m
  7. #60: Nanthia Suthana – Pushing Boundaries: Memory Enhancement, Virtual Reality, and Trauma Therapy in Neuroscience

    11/01/2024

    #60: Nanthia Suthana – Pushing Boundaries: Memory Enhancement, Virtual Reality, and Trauma Therapy in Neuroscience

    In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Suthana, a leading neuroscientist from UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior. Dr. Suthana’s career sits at the intersection of neuroscience, neural technology, and engineering, focusing on memory disorders and innovative brain technologies. We explore her groundbreaking research on memory enhancement through deep brain stimulation (DBS), focusing on a study where stimulation of the entorhinal cortex enhanced memory retention during learning. She also delves into the challenges of translating laboratory findings into real-world clinical improvements. In a truly unique part of her work, Dr. Suthana uses virtual reality (VR) and mobile tech to study memory in naturalistic settings. Her lab even developed a custom backpack system, allowing participants to move freely while recording real-time brain activity to better understand memory and spatial navigation. We also discuss her recent work on PTSD, where she uses responsive stimulation in the amygdala to help reduce trauma-triggered responses. Dr. Suthana expresses her excitement about the future of wearable tech and how it might revolutionize the field by combining real-time data collection with neurostimulation. Tune in for an inspiring look at the future of neuromodulation and memory enhancement as Dr. Suthana shares her vision and insights into this cutting-edge field.

    54 min
  8. #59: Milad Girgis – 25 Years of Progress: Evolution and Innovation in Neuromodulation Devices

    08/14/2024

    #59: Milad Girgis – 25 Years of Progress: Evolution and Innovation in Neuromodulation Devices

    As a fourth installment of this podcast into key industry leaders in neuromodulation, this is our conversation with Milad Girgis, who is the VP and General Manager of the Brain franchise at Boston Scientific. Milad has dedicated over 25 years to the Medical Device Industry, with two decades at Boston Scientific. Before diving into his impressive tenure at Boston Scientific, we explore the earlier phases of his career and identify key turning points that shaped his professional journey. Milad provides insights into what his typical day at Boston Scientific looks like. We also discuss the competitive DBS landscape and how they create unique selling points for their program. Milad shares exciting developments and future plans that are on the roadmap, giving us a glimpse into the innovations driving the industry forward. Finally, we illuminate Boston Scientific's approach to DBS with their unique strategy and focus on image guidance – among other concepts. Our conversation also addresses the academic community's curiosity about transitioning to industry roles, with our guest presenting a compelling case for why a career in the medical device industry can be rewarding. Join us as we explore and map some new potential horizons for neuromodulation.

    1h 35m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Andreas Horn interviews experts in the field of deep brain stimulation, noninvasive neuromodulation, functional brain imaging and neuroanatomy. Join us on our quest to interact with the human brain and thank you for your interest in science! Andreas Horn, M.D., Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and associate professor for neurology at Harvard Medical School.

Information

  • Creator
    Andreas Horn
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andreas Horn
  • Show Website
    Stimulating Brains

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