Manipulation of the somatotopic representation of the somatosensory mapping in the cerebral cortex by using plasticity of the brain and intra-cortical microelectrical-stimulation

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12576
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Mabuchi Kunihiko 東京大学, 大学院情報理工学系研究科, 教授 (50192349)
• Research Collaborator: NAITO Yutaka ; SUDO Nami ; HIRANO Takeshi ; HOSHINO Shotaro ; SAITO Takashi
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: リハビリテーション / 脳の可塑性 / 脳体部位局在地図操作 / 大脳皮質微小電気刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We attempted to utilize the spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) of the synapse and manipulate the somatotopic representation of the somatosensory mapping in the cerebral cortex by repeating synchronous micro-electrical stimulation between two cerebral sensory cortex areas We developed a devise for rats that detects the neural activity where it is implanted and electrically stimulates another site of the cerebral cortex synchronously but with a certain delay from the detected neural activity. We implanted this device in rats and repeated synchronous electrical stimulation between the neurons of two cerebral cortex areas and investigated the change in the connectivity strength. The results collected, so far, show that the connectivity between the two neurons is strengthened in the high detects the gamma band of the signal in the motor cortex area. With respect to the sensory cortex, however, the results are unclear and further study is needed.

Free Research Field

医用・生体工学