Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities Technology Translational Research and Development Award (PI: Mazen Al Borno; Co-Is: McConnell, Teale, Zhengxiong) Phase I; 02/23 - 02/24

Feasibility trial of Vibrotactile Stimulation to Entrain 40 Hz Gamma Oscillation for Alzheimer’s disease

The goal of the project is to develop a neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using a vibrotactile stimulator operating at approximately 40 Hz. Resting state MEG will be used to compute a measure of neural synchrony based on imaginary coherence. Neural synchrony deficits are thought to be a consequence of impaired inhibitory function in AD which may be linked to GABAergic interneuron malfunction or death. The gamma stimulation treatment may be a way of ‘pumping’ or otherwise reactivating interneurons. MEG data will be collected before treatment begins and again after six months of one hour per day of stimulation. Neural synchrony will be used to determine the effect of the therapy.

DoD CDMRP - W81XWH-22-1-0566. (PI: Jeffrey Hebert, PhD; Co-I: Buard) 09/15/2022-08/14/2025

Emotional Dyscontrol in Veterans with Extended History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Upright Balance Control and Auditory Sensory Processing Contributions 

The objective is to conduct a novel, rigorously designed 2-arm, cross-sectional study to measure posttraumatic irritability, upright balance control based on computerized technology and auditory processing based on behavioral and neurophysiological metrics in military Veterans with and without history of mTBI.  

Mowry Research Funds Award. (co-PIs: Buard, Baumgartner, MD) 09/22-08/23

P50 as a Biomarker for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease 

The aim of this study is to investigate the utility of P50 as a biomarker in detecting freezing of gait in PD.

Mowry Research Funds Award. (co-PIs: Buard, Baumgartner, MD) 09/22-08/23

P300 as a Biomarker for Visuospatial Working Memory in Parkinson’s Disease 

The aim of this study is to investigate P300 as a biomarker for detecting working memory impairments in PD.

NIH – National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) – (PI: Shu-Wei Huang, PhD; Co-I: Buard) 09/21-08/23

Nanoparticle-based optical magnetometer for room-temperature magnetoencephalography

This project will apply new technologies to develop a novel room-temperature magnetometer that addresses the bandwidth and dynamic range limitations of optically-pumped magnetometers, making it much more applicable to frontline diagnostics and wide-spread hospital usage. 

NIH – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Career Development Award (1K01AT009894-01A1 ). (PI: Buard) 02/19-01/24

Auditory-motor entrainment of fine motor function via Neurologic Music Therapy 

The goal of this award is (1) to provide necessary training in order to further investigate alternative and complementary medicines to improve fine motor control across neuropsychiatric disorders and (2) to conduct a randomized, controlled clinical trial which aims to unravel the auditory-motor oscillatory pathways targeted by Neurologic Music Therapy and to investigate the potential rehabilitative benefit in Parkinson’s disease.   

NIH – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Career Development Award (1K01AT009894-01A1 ). (PI: Buard) 02/19-01/24

Auditory-motor entrainment of fine motor function via Neurologic Music Therapy 

The goal of this award is (1) to provide necessary training in order to further investigate alternative and complementary medicines to improve fine motor control across neuropsychiatric disorders and (2) to conduct a randomized, controlled clinical trial which aims to unravel the auditory-motor oscillatory pathways targeted by Neurologic Music Therapy and to investigate the potential rehabilitative benefit in Parkinson’s disease.   

NIH – National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Research Award (R01NS094604) – (PI: Svenja Knappe, PhD; co-I: Buard) 07/18-08/21 (NCE 08/23)

A Room Temperature Atomic Magnetrode System for Telemetry of Epileptic Seizures 

The goal of this project is to develop a practical non-cryogenic microfabricated atomic magnetometer based on laser spectroscopy of rubidium vapor and similar in size and flexibility to scalp EEG electrodes, in order to obtain long-term measurements of seizures and interictal spikes in outpatients with epilepsy. Our team in the CUNeuroMag MEG laboratory is currently collecting data with both our current MEG-SQUID system and the room temperature magnetometer to compare sensory-evoked (somatomotor and auditory) potentials and interictal spikes localization and spectral analysis. 

NIH – National Institute for Mental Health. Research Enhancement Award (R15MH117690) – (PI: Kimberley Chiew, PhD; co-I: Buard) 07/18-08/21 (NCE 08/23)

Beyond Reward: Approach and avoidance motivation generate functional contexts for cognitive control and adaptive memory 

The goal of this Academic Research Enhancement Award proposal is to support student research training in neuroimaging and neurostimulation (TMS) measures characterizing the mechanism by which approach versus avoidance motivation adaptively influence cognitive control and subsequent episodic memory. Our team in the CUNeuroMag TMS laboratory is providing guidance and training on the use of TMS equipment and software for the neurostimulation aspect of the project. I also served as a TMS mentor for Dr. Chiew’s postbac graduate student to ensure the completion of this proposal. 

UCH TCFIM/CAMPUS (PI: Buard) 01/18-12/18

Neurologic Music Therapy for enhancing fine motor control in Parkinson’s disease 

The goal of this award is to optimize the current study including data collection, storage and analysis as well as collect preliminary data on participants undergoing OT sessions. 

Movement Disorders Center Pilot Grant (PI:Buard) 01/17-06/17

Neurologic Music Therapy for enhancing fine motor control in Parkinson’s disease 

The goal of this project is to test the feasibility and impact of Neurologic Music Therapy on fine motor skills and to understand the underlying brain mechanisms