R21NS139349

Optimizing sensory feedback via machine learning and in-silico models - Amputation results in significant disability, pain, and global societal costs, particularly due to the loss of employment among young workers affected by such injuries.

In Egypt, this issue is a major public health concern, largely driven by high rates of labor-related injuries (mostly young workers), road accidents, and diabetes.

While traditional prostheses can restore some motor control, they do not provide natural sensory feedback or alleviate neuropathic pain, such as phantom limb and residual limb pain, that emerges after injury.

Sensory stimulation has been shown to restore sensory function, reduce phantom limb pain, and enhance prosthesis integration, embodiment, and control.

However, restoring sensory function in bionic prostheses remains a major challenge.

Thus, there is a critical need for advancing prosthetic technologies that restore sensory function, especially in Egypt, where access to such innovations is limited.

The objective of this project is to develop a proof-of-concept machine learning-based approach for sensory feedback tuning.

This project will integrate the computational neuroscience expertise of the US PI with the experimental and neural data analysis expertise of the Egyptian PI to develop a stimulus coder that optimizes peripheral nerve electrical stimulation (ESTIM) parameters.

The design of this stimulus coder is innovative as it is comprised of an in-silico model that predicts the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) activity in response to a given tactile stimulus.

The predicted S1 activity is then provided to an ESTIM decoder that identifies the needed ESTIM parameters to evoke the predicted S1 activity.

Our central hypothesis is that using in-silico computational models to guide the development and operation of the stimulus coder will result in effective naturalistic tactile sensations mimicking those elicited by normal touch.

The development of the proposed stimulus coder will be achieved through two specific aims.

In Aim 1 of the project, a tactile encoding in-silico model will be developed to simulate primary somatosensory cortex (S1) activity in response to tactile stimulation in rats (Task US-1).

This model will be verified using recorded in vivo rat tactile data (Task EG-1).

Next, an ESTIM encoding in-silico model will be developed to simulate S1 activity in response to sciatic nerve ESTIM (Task US-2).

Similarly, this model will be verified using recorded in vivo rat ESTIM data (Task EG-2).

In Aim 2, using the ESTIM encoding model of Task US-2, expanded datasets will be generated using combinations of different ESTIM parameters, each varied across a wide range, with their evoked neural responses simulated (Task US-3).

These datasets will be used to train different machine learning techniques for optimal electrical decoding; that is, to identify the optimal ESTIM protocols to generate the desired S1 firing patterns (Task EG-3).

In addition, the ESTIM strategy most effective for training the decoder will be identified.

Successful completion of this work will result in pilot data that demonstrates the feasibility of developing a smart, adaptable sensory feedback mechanism that could support existing motor prostheses to add sensory capabilities.

This is expected to significantly improve the quality of life of amputees in Egypt, USA, and worldwide.

American University In Cairo

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.989 - International Research and Research Training

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

Fogarty International Center (FIC) [HHS - NIH]

Egypt

Foreign

Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-22-098)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 2928% from $10,000 to $302,782.