Reseachers
HAYASHI, Ryusuke
Research Scientist, Human Technology Research Institute,
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology (AIST)
Title:
A brain machine interface to directly share perceptual
experience with others
Summary:
We aim to develop technology to "read-out" the visual
experience from one person and transfer that experience
directly to the brain of another person. Using
electrophysiological techniques in an experimental animal,
we propose to decode object perception from one subject,
transmit these signals via a novel interface to another
subject and test whether that subject receives the same
perception. To achieve these technical goals, we also
expect to advance our basic knowledge of object perception
in the brain. By developing this technology to directly
share visual experience, we hope to improve communication
between people in the future.
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HIGO,
Noriyuki
Senior Researcher, Human Technology Research Institute,
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology (AIST)
Title:
Brain functional recovery by the input of neuronal
activity to the cerebral cortex
Summary:
Brain electrical stimulation is known to promote
functional recovery after brain damage, but the underlying
mechanism is still largely unknown. The present project
aims to develop a new technique of electrical stimulation
to the damaged brain. I will input neural activity which
is essential for functional compensation, and compare the
effects on functional recovery with the conventional
electrical stimulation methods. Moreover, I will
investigate electrical stimulation-induced changes in the
neural system, using the techniques of gene expression and
neuroanatomical analyses.
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IKEGAYA, Yuji
Professor, Grad School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The
University of Tokyo
Title:
Rule extraction and control of spontaneous neuronal
network plasticity
Summary:
The majority of spikes emitted by brain networks are
intrinsically occurring, spontaneous activity, which helps
reorganizing the networks. This research project aims at
predicting and controlling the spatiotemporal patterns of
spontaneous activity via identifying the regimes
underlying network reorganization. It will contribute to
our understanding the operation principles and learning
rules of brain networks as well as provide insights into
new designs of artificial neural networks.
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KAMADA, Kyousuke
Professor/Chairman, School of Medicine, Neurosurgery,
Asahikawa Medical College
Title:
Development of BMI systems for visual and auditory
communications using functional neuroimaging and
multi-channel ECoG
Summary:
Raw data of electrocorticogram (ECoG) with different
semantic tasks was processed by averaging and
time-frequency analysis. Electrocortical stimulation (ECS)
was applied to identify the eloquent areas of language-
and memory-related functions. On the basis of the mapping
results of ECoG and ECS, we select the eloquent
ECoG-electrode positions for developing language-related
BMI. Functional neuroimaging such as functional MRI and
magnetoencephalography is also utilized for identification
of language-related centers. Semantic-ECoG is a powerful
technique to decode the human brain functions for BMI
system for human communications.
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KITAJO, Keiichi
Unit Leader, Rhythm-based Brain Information Progressing
Unit, BTCC (RIKEN BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center), RIKEN
Brain Science Institute
Deputy Laboratory Head, Laboratory for Cognitive Brain
Mapping, RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Title:
Manipulation of neural information processing by real-time
TMS control
Summary:
We monitor human brain activity by EEG and deliver TMS
depending on the dynamics of the brain activity to
investigate the causal relationship between the brain
dynamics and perception. More specifically we develop a
system neuroscience method to real-time monitor and
manipulate large-scale synchronous neural oscillations to
show the causal relationship between the synchronization
dynamics and perceptual state.
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KITAMURA, Kazuo
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, The
University of Tokyo
Title:
Functional organization of local neurocircuits in
somatosensory cortex
Summary:
To understand information processing in the brain, it is
necessary to elucidate the function of local circuits. By
using in vivo two-photon microscopy, representation of
sensory information, stability and plasticity of local
neurocircuits can be directly visualized in the intact
brain at the resolution of single cells and single
synapses. This research will provide insight into the
functional organization of local neurocircuits ,which is
indispensable for the development of BMI technology.
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KOHNO, Takashi
Associate Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, The
University of Tokyo
Title:
Designing and implementing functional silicon neural
network
Summary:
Silicon neural networks, mimetic electrical circuits of
the nerve system are designed and implemented by
assembling silicon neuron circuits, which resembles the
electrophysiological functions of neuronal cells. The
silicon neuron and silicon synapse circuits are designed
based on the mathematical knowledge so that they consume
extremely low power and small area on the silicon chip.
The silicon neural networks developed in this project are
expected to play crucial roles in realizing the complex
and autonomous controller for various actuators
particularly in robots, the advanced and low-power
consuming BMI devices, and the robust and autonomous
information processing systems.
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KOMAI, Shoji
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Biological
Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Title:
Reading and mimicking of neuronal information in the brain
with optical brain machine interface
Summary:
We are trying to understand how the brain works in a
single neuronal level to execute a satle movement or
sensory feeling. We will record neuronal activity in a
fine scale by using of not only electrophysiological but
also optical tools. These tools could lead us to
barrier-free or user-friendly brain machine interface with
which patients can easily move and feel with the
artificial hand easily and smoothly.
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MINAMIMOTO, Takafumi
Team leader, Neuroinformation Team, Department of
Molecular Neuroimaging, Neuroimaging Center, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences
Title:
Exploring and controlling motivational process in the
brain
Summary:
Motivation of behavior is dynamically controlled by
external factors (e.g., reward) as well as by internal
factor (e.g., hunger). The aim of this project is to
construct a model of the motivational process discovered
by positron emission tomography and neuronal recording
techniques in behaving animals. To verify the model, I
will also try to externally control the animals’
motivation. The model will contribute to diagnosis and
treatment for motivational dysfunctions, such as
depression.
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NISHIMURA, Yukio
Associate Professor, Department of Developmental
Physiology, National Institutes of Natural
Sciences・National Institute for Physiological Sciences
Title:
Brain Cumputer Interface via Artificial Neuronal
Connection
Summary:
This project would develop and test "An Artificial
Neuronal Connection" between the neuronal structures
beyond the impaired site, then establish the system that
can “Control” and “Feel” paralytic extremities in
patients. This would represent a novel method of restoring
compromised circuitry in the injured spinal cord or
Parkinson's disease.
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OGAWA, Hiroto
Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido
University,
Title:
Neural representation and sensory-motor transformation of
directional information in actual locomotion
Summary:
Animals recognize ‘direction’ from which sensory stimulus
comes, and decide ‘direction’ to which they will move. For
this behavior, their brain system needs to represent the
directional information of stimulus and to transform it
into the direction of locomotion. In our study, optical
recording techniques are adopted to cricket during actual
movement. We try to measure neuronal responses to acoustic
or wind stimuli applied from various directions, and brain
activities preceding the locomotory action, in order to
clarify the brain system for the representation and
transformation of directional information.
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SEKI,
Kazuhiko
Director, National Institute of Neuroscience, National
Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Title:
The role of reafference signal for generating volitional
muscle activities.
Summary:
Every movement of animal induces sensory feedback signals
(reafferece) that activate neurons in the central nervous
system for regulating subsequent muscle activity. Aim of
this project is to test the hypothesis that muscle
activity is generated by reaffence through a various
spinal reflex pathway during voluntary movement. Further,
I will try to manipulate the activity of reflex pathway
using closed-BMI technique for establishing a method to
aid the control of limb movement in brain injured persons.
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TAKEMOTO, Kiwamu
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Yokohama City
University
Title:
Molecular system analysis of memory acquisition and
retention with acute manipulation of AMPA receptors
Summary:
Hippocampus is an essential brain region for many types of
memory formation. While many analysis of synaptic response
in vitro have been reported, mechanism of memory formation
in vivo was poorly understood. To elucidate systems of
memory acquisition and retention in vivo, I examine
functions of AMPA receptors for memory with two-photon
imaging and acute molecular inactivation technique in
one-spine resolution in vivo.
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WATABE, Ayako
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Jikei University
Title:
Neuronal mechanisms underlying fear memory formation and
extinction
Summary:
Fear learning is a critical process for animals to avoid
danger and promote defense against threats. Although it is
suggested that fear learning depends on some plastic
events in the amygdala, the underlying mechanisms remain
unclear. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the
neuronal mechanisms underlying fear memory formation and
extinction. Using genetically manipulated mice, I will
perform detailed electrophysiological analyses of the
mouse amygdala neural circuitry. The result obtained here
is expected to contribute to the new approach to PTSD and
other anxiety disorders.
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