Research directions
Neurorehabilitation using serious video games and virtual reality
At the Neuroscape@NeuroTech clinical research platform, we aim at developing, assessing and validating novel approaches for cognitive neurorehabilitation, using serious video games and virtual reality. These approaches can promote motivation, personalize the training intensity and thus optimize neurorehabilitation.
Our team and multidisciplinary partners include neurologists, engineers, neuroscientists, sports physicians, physical therapists, psychologists and neuropsychologists. The platform is equipped with a driving simulator, a giant screen, an optical system for capturing body posture and motion, powerful computers, a virtual reality system, an electroencephalography (EEG) system and wearable physiological sensors.
We run several research projects including a multi-centric randomized controlled trial on the utility of cognitive exergames for the cognitive neurorehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis. Other observational and interventional studies are ongoing in the areas of stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological deficits related to HIV and early dementia. Most of the projects involve cooperations with national and international academic institutions and the industry.
Multimodal cerebro-cerebellar connectivity
The understanding of brain function depends on the optimal integration of the different types of brain imaging data towards the analysis of brain networks. We have implemented and assessed multimodal analyses of brain connectivity, and, in particular, how the structure of brain networks gives rise to functional communication. Within the framework of Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM), we combine diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) towards better conceptualization of the networks connecting the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and their contribution to perception and cognition. Most important, we use these multimodal measures at the level of an entire network to predict behavior. This could contribute to better understanding, monitoring and prediction of the neurobiological effects of neurorehabilitation.
Social cognition
Despite the major impact of social cognition impairments on everyday life, the neurological and neuropsychological evaluation and management of these deficits is unfortunately underdeveloped in patients with brain lesions. Our goal is to understand better the prevalence and causes of social cognition deficits in patients with acquired brain damage from a neuropsychological perspective. We also study the cerebro-cerebellar networks engaged in non-verbal social cognition and body language reading, and use neurotechnology to promote the assessment and neurorehabilitation of social cognition.
