Personalized AI-based neurostimulation for functional and cognitive benefits

Abstract

Advances in peripheral nervous system (PNS) interfacing present a promising venue for rehabilitation of individuals with different neurological disabilities. Subjects with diabetes or lower limb amputation frequently do not engage fully in every day activities because they are afraid off alls. They also tend to have reduced mobility, which can induce a sedentary lifestyle that promotes disease development and hinders reinsertion into society, while the neuropathic pain is also common and poorly managed with current medications. Despite a wide range of possibilities for human-machine interfacing, the nature of the optimal human-machine interaction remains poorly understood. Knowledge gained from in-silico modelling of targeted neural structures can inform an optimized design of such interfacing, therefore we develop the exact models of different nerves, enabling for AI-based personalized treatments. We have pioneered a human-machine systems that translates prosthetic sensors’ read-outs into “language” understandable by the nervous system. A “sensing leg, ”forlowerlimb amputees, by connecting sensors from the prosthetic knee and under the foot to the residual PNS, transduces the readout of the sensors into stimulation parameters. The “smartorthosis” fordiabetics “speaks” to the irresidual healthy nerves with a similar philosophy. Theie effects at the brain level were evaluated, observing important benefits. These studies not only provided clear evidence of the benefit of neuromodulation for neurologically disabled subjects but also provided insights into fundamental mechanisms of supraspinal integration of the restored sensory modalities.

Bio

Stanisa Raspopovic is Full Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the MedUni Vienna. He was previously an Assistant Professor of Neuroengineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. His research interest is focused on the development of innovative medical devices for treatment of neurologically disabled persons. In particular, he develops mechatronic systems directly interfacing the environment with the residual nervous system with their clinical assessment. Stanisa achieved the groundbreaking translational research results in the field of sensory restoration in amputee and diabetic patients. He has substantial international experience in research in neural engineering culminating with the award of an ERC Starting grant in 2018, ERC Consolidator Grant in 2023, Science & PINS Prize in Neuromodulation 2021 and ETH Latsis Prize 2021