Cognitive neuroscience research seeks to understand the basic brain mechanisms underlying cognitive and behavioral functions. While there are a variety of available research tools, the majority of these techniques are correlational, in that neural activity (or a proxy of neural activity) is measured while human subjects perform a task. Data from these techniques do not allow causal inference, which requires perturbation of the neural system. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is currently the leading choice for neural perturbation in humans. With Major Research Instrumentation support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. McAuley and colleagues will purchase a TMS system to enhance research and training in cognitive neuroscience at Michigan State University. TMS can be used to produce temporary disruptions in neural activity or to stimulate the cortex in targeted brain regions. Recent developments in this technology allow image-guided TMS delivery, commonly referred to as neuronavigation. This method allows the TMS coil to be precisely positioned over a specified brain structure based on a person's neuroanatomical data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. This capability is important because, although the structure of the brain is roughly similar across people, the exact anatomical location of neural structures can vary considerably. Targets for disruption/stimulation can be identified by selecting and highlighting the desired structure/locations with the brain. Image-guided (neuronavigated) TMS is quickly becoming a widely-used and standard technology in cognitive neuroscience research. The general value of this technology for cognitive neuroscience is that it is a non-invasive tool that can be coupled with functional and structural MRI data to make causal inferences about normal and disordered brain function that are not possible through fMRI/MRI studies alone.
The participating investigators are all active researchers in the cognitive neurosciences. The new instrumentation will transform Michigan State University's capability to conduct cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience studies that help unravel the neural bases of cognitive function in a diverse set of domains, including perception, attention, memory, cognitive control, and decision making. The acquisition will also more broadly contribute to university-wide neuroscience education and training initiatives at the graduate and undergraduate levels. As part of a new and popular undergraduate major in neuroscience, neuronavigated TMS will be included as one of the methods taught in a required core laboratory course that exposes students to a variety of different neuroscience methods. At the graduate level, the new instrumentation will strengthen introductory and advanced neuroimaging courses by providing new education and novel hands-on training and research opportunities. Michigan State University is a also leader in undergraduate research and training opportunities in STEM areas for women and underrepresented minorities, and the training opportunities created by the new instrumentation will interact synergistically with departmental, interdepartmental and university-wide initiatives. Opportunities for summer research experiences for high school students will be created through established contacts with science teachers in area high schools.
at Michigan State University (MSU). TMS is a technology that is increasingly used in human cognitive neuroscience research to produce temporary disruptions to neural activity or to stimulate the cortex in targeted brain regions. Recent developments in this technology allow image-guided TMS delivery, commonly referred to as neuronavigation. This method allows the TMS coil to be precisely positioned over a specified brain structure based on a person’s neuroanatomical data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Targets for disruption/stimulation are identified manually by selecting and highlighting the desired structure/locations with the brain. Image-guided (neuronavigated) TMS is quickly becoming a widely-used and standard technology in cognitive neuroscience research. The general value of this technology for cognitive neuroscience is that it is a non-invasive tool that can be combined with functional and structural MRI data to make causal inferences about normal and disordered brain function that are not possible through fMRI/MRI studies alone. The new instrumentation is housed in a new shared facility within the Department of Psychology, which is managed by a dedicated committee, ensuring open access and safe operation. With NSF support, cognitive neuroscience researchers at MSU have been able for the first time to integrate neuroimaging and TMS techniques to test causal hypotheses about brain function. The new instrumentation has transformed MSU’s capability to conduct cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience studies and has started to produce new advances in knowledge in a diverse set of cognitive domains, including perception, attention, memory, cognitive control, and decision making, thereby increasing the scientific impact of cognitive neuroscience research at MSU. More broadly, neuroscience is a priority area for MSU that has included the creation of a new undergraduate neuroscience major that started in 2012-2013. The new major notably has a cognitive neuroscience track that is already proving to be very popular, thus representing an excellent opportunity for strengthening STEM education across diverse groups. The acquisition has broadly contributed to university-wide neuroscience education and training initiatives in a number of respects, including its incorporation as part of a required core laboratory course that exposes students to a variety of different neuroscience methods, including a component that involves the acquired neuronavigated TMS system.At the graduate education level, the new instrumentation has strengthened introductory and advanced neuroimaging courses by providing new education and novel hands-on training opportunities. In this regard, MSU is a leader in research and training opportunities in STEM areas for women and underrepresented minorities, and the training opportunities that have been created by the new instrumentation provide a research hub for synergistic interactions between departmental, interdepartmental and university-wide initiatives.
