Introductory Workshop

Introduction to Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation

Held on October 12 and 13 and October 16 and 17, 2023

This year's NC NM4R Introduction to Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation Workshop began on Zoom on October 12 and 13, and concluded in person on October 16 and 17, 2023.

Download full Workshop program with agenda and speaker biographies in PDF format

Keynote Presentation

Harnessing Our Senses: Sensory Stimulation to Mitigate Alzheimer’s Pathology and Epileptiform Activity
Annabelle C. Singer, Ph.D.
McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor
Associate Professor, Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Tech & Emory University

The keynote lecture is open to all and will be presented both in person and via Zoom on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

Poster Session and Reception

Immediately following the keynote speaker, NC NM4R will hold a poster session and reception. You are invited to attend the reception and to submit an abstract to present your neuromodulation work as a poster. All posters will be in consideration for a $200 prize, and preliminary work is welcome! At the poster session and reception, you can explore ideas, emerging research, technological development, clinical applications while networking with NC NM4R faculty and peers.

Highlighted Online Presentation

Combining Neurostimulation and Neuroimaging to Study Functional Plasticity in the Language Network
Gesa Hartwigsen, Ph.D.
Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Leipzig University &
Lise Meitner Research Group Cognition and Plasticity, MPI CBS, Leipzig, Germany

Presented via Zoom on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10 a.m. Eastern

Workshop Topics

Biopsychosocial perspective on neuromodulation for rehabilitation
Physics and physiology of brain stimulation
Clinical and scientific application of electric, magnetic, and ultrasound stimulation techniques
Specific focus: cognitive functioning & speech and language
Central and peripheral stimulation targets
Multimodal application of stimulation and imaging techniques

Lab Demonstrations

TMS using ERIK
neuronavigated TMS
tDCS/tACS
taVNS
Spinal Reflex Testing
Operant Conditioning
MEP Conditioning

Introductory Workshop Objectives

The purpose of this workshop is to provide you with foundational knowledge including background, theory, safety, and methodology of a range of brain stimulation and operant conditioning techniques integrated with medical rehabilitation principles. We will provide a combination of lectures and laboratory demonstrations and hands-on participation in addition to panel discussions with our faculty, all centered on key rehabilitation problems.

Upon completion of this workshop you will:

Understand neuromodulation for rehabilitation (NM4R) principles and develop a working knowledge of technologies and equipment utilized in NM4R.
Understand techniques, clinical uses, and safety guidelines in order to apply these approaches to rehabilitation research experiments in human participants with and without pathology.
Be prepared to participate in advanced training opportunities and workshops including mentored collaborative consultations and applications for pilot funding.
Become familiar with other members of the NM4R research community and colleagues in your field of interest.
Become oriented to other infrastructure resources available to you in NM4R research.

Register now!

Training attendees in using transcranial magnetic stimulation during the introductory workshop.

Workshop Agenda

(subject to change, all times Eastern)

Day 1: Thursday, October 12, 2023

via Zoom

9:45 a.m.

Zoom meeting room opens

10 to 10:15 a.m.

Welcome and Introduction
Steve Kautz, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Rick Segal, PT, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Mark George, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina

10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation: A Biopsychosocial Overview of Opportunities and Risks
Michelle Woodbury, Ph.D., OTR/L, Medical University of South Carolina

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Physics of Brain Stimulation
Mark George, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina

12:15 to 1 p.m.

Break for Lunch

1 to 2 p.m.

Clinical Applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Stephanie Aghamoosa, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

2 to 3 p.m.

Functional Implications and Application of Operant Conditioning
Aiko Thompson, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Blair Dellenbach, MSOT, Medical University of South Carolina

3 to 3:15 p.m.

Break

3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Bashar Badran, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

4:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Follow-up: Q&A with presenters, adjourn

Day 2: Friday, October 13, 2023

via Zoom

9:30 a.m.

Zoom meeting room opens

9:45 to 10 a.m.

Welcome Session: Follow up on Day 1 via Q&A with presenters

10 to 11:00 a.m.

11 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Basic Modalities and Applications to Rehabilitation
John Kindred, Ph.D., Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina

12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Break for Lunch

1 to 2 p.m.

Non-Invasive Flicker Neurostimulation Boosts Resilience to Psychological Stress
Tina Franklin, Ph.D., Georgia Tech & Emory University

2 to 3 p.m.

Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation to Address Feeding Deficits in Premature Infants: from Bedside to Bench and Back
Heather McGhee, MS, CCC-SLP, Ph.D. student, Medical University of South Carolina
Melanie Wiley Gail, M.D./Ph.D. student, Medical University of South Carolina

3 to 3:15 p.m.

Break

3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Emerging Topics: Focused Ultrasound (FUS)
Kevin Caulfield, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

4:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Follow-up: Q&A, adjourn

Day 3: Monday, October 16, 2023

In person, College of Health Professions Building C, Room C317, 77 President Street

8:30 a.m.

On-site registration

9 to 11:00 a.m.

Lab Demonstration: TMS/ERIK
Mark George, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Bridgette Holland, Medical University of South Carolina

11 to 12:15 p.m.

taVNS Demonstration
Bashar Badran, Ph.D., and team, Medical University of South Carolina

12:15 to 1 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

1 to 2:00 p.m.

tACS/tDCS Demonstration
Kirstin-Friederike Heise, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Kevin Caulfield, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

2 to 3:15 p.m.

Hands-On Human Neuroanatomy Opportunity
Heather Boger, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

3:15 to 3:30 p.m.

Break
Walk to keynote
Bioengineering Building, BE112, 68 President St

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Keynote: Harnessing Our Senses–Sensory Stimulation to Mitigate Alzheimer’s Pathology and Epileptiform Activity
Annabelle C. Singer, Ph.D.
McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor
Associate Professor, Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Tech & Emory University

Bioengineering Building, BE112, 68 President St.
Offered in person and online via Zoom

4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Poster Session and Reception
Bioengineering Building Lobby, 68 President St.

Day 4: Tuesday, October 17, 2023

In person, College of Health Professions, Building C, Room C317, 77 President Street

8:30 a.m.

On-site registration

9 to 10:15 a.m.

Lab Demonstration: Neuronavigating TMS
John Kindred, Ph.D., Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina
Jasmine Cash, MS, Medical University of South Carolina

10:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Operant Conditioning Methods Overview
Aiko Thompson, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Lab Demonstration: MEP Conditioning
Evoked Potential Operant Conditioning (EPOC) Lab, College of Health Professions Building C, room CHP C105a, 77 President Street

12:15 to 1:00 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Lab Demonstration: Hands-on Spinal Reflex Testing and Operant Conditioning
Evoked Potential Operant Conditioning (EPOC) Lab, College of Health Professions Building C, room CHP C105a, 77 President Street

2:15 to 2:30 p.m.

Recap, Q&A

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Panel with Workshop Faculty

3:30 to 3:45 p.m.

Wrap up, adjourn