Events Calendar

Seminars in Biomedical Engineering

Speaker: Sook-Lei Liew, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Talk Title: Large scale neuroimaging and neuromodulation to promote motor recovery after stroke

Series: Seminars in BME (Lab Rotations)

Abstract: Stroke is a leading cause of adult long term disability, and up to 2/3 of stroke survivors do not fully recover, despite intensive therapy. Identifying and personalizing rehabilitation treatments based on each patient's neurological and behavioral profile could greatly enhance the post-stroke outcomes. In this talk, I will discuss a two-pronged approach to address this problem. First, we are characterizing how specific neuroanatomical changes relate to motor recovery on a large scale. In partnership with ENIGMA Center for Worldwide Medicine, Imaging, and Genomics, we have developed an ENIGMA working group on stroke recovery to harmonize stroke neuroimaging efforts around the world, with an initial goal of n>3000 MRIs. Our preliminary data shows promising results, with specific post-stroke neuroanatomical motor regions relating to motor impairment and recovery, and results becoming more robust as data across sites is combined. Second, we are developing and evaluating neuromodulatory approaches to affect brain activity in key regions after stroke, using noninvasive brain stimulation and brain computer interfaces to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Preliminary work using transcranial direct current stimulation, real-time fMRI connectivity neurofeedback and a portable EEG-based virtual reality neurofeedback system will be discussed, along with future implications of this work for translational research.

Host: Brent Liu, PhD

Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 146

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta