FICORE

Characterizing the variability in human motor cortex output

In a collaborative initiative, Aalto University, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) have joined forces to unravel the human motor cortex. This collaborative endeavor aims to delve into understanding the variability in the output of the human motor cortex, with implications for therapeutic interventions in movement disorders.
Characterizing the Variability in Human Motor Cortex Output
Aalto University, ConnectToBrain project; Aino Nieminen stimulating a subject’s brain. Source: Mikko Raskinen

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stands as a pivotal tool in this venture, allowing researchers to activate localized areas of the human cortex, leading to nerve signal propagation within the brain and the periphery. By measuring TMS-elicited responses in muscles and EEG signals from the brain, the research teams can achieve valuable scientific and diagnostic insights. Moreover, repeated stimulation offers the potential to induce therapeutic changes in the brain, holding promise for treating motor and other disorders.

The project is spearheaded by Professor Risto Ilmoniemi, Aalto University School as the principal investigator (PI), and Professor Nivethida Thirugnanasambandam from IIT Bombay. At Aalto University, within the framework of the ERC Synergy project “ConnectToBrain”, researchers have developed cutting-edge technology enabling the stimulation of multiple brain targets in rapid sequences and rhythms. This technological advancement paves the way for the development of enhanced paradigms for studying and treating the motor system. Dr. Thirugnanasambandam focuses her studies on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Leveraging TMS–EEG techniques, her team endeavors to optimize noninvasive brain stimulation protocols for clinical use. The project also collaborates with the BioMag Laboratory at Helsinki University Hospital (HUS).

The collaboration between Aalto University and IIT Bombay bridges the technological expertise of Aalto with the clinical insights and large-scale studies of IIT Bombay. By investigating the reasons behind the variability in motor cortex responses to TMS, the research teams aim to refine therapeutic strategies and diagnostic approaches. Through systematic training and learning events for researchers and students, they aspire to empower the next generation of neuroscientists and clinicians. Moreover, the research is poised to improve our understanding of the human motor cortex and advance therapeutic interventions for motor disorders on a global scale.

Characterizing the Variability in the Output of the Human Motor Cortex is seed-funded as part of the India Pilot initiative from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Aalto is coordinating the India Pilot Network FICORE (Finnish Indian Consortia for Research and Education), which involves 38 higher education institutions from Finland and India. 

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