Our ability to adapt to novel environments stems from our brain’s ability to acquire internal models. Even when our internal environment changes due to deficits in our body or our brain, neural plasticity paves the way to functional recovery. Through computational neuroscience and brain machine interface technology, we are approaching the mysteries of human motor control to challenge functional recovery.
Proposing novel rehabilitation
1) Contralateral homonymous muscle activity simulated electrical stimulation in chronic hemiplegia (CHASE system)
2) Sensory feedback system utilizing cutaneous electrical stimulation for stroke patients with sensory loss.
Neural plasticity
Rehabilitation will induce neural plasticity of the brain. We try to detect the structural change of the brain by Imaging technique.
Computational model of recovery
We try to model the interaction between functional recovery and hand use, and test the model by behavioral experiment.