Mission The CNT’s mission is to develop innovative neural devices and methods for directing engineered neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord, which will improve sensory and motor function for people with spinal cord injury, stroke and other neurological disorders. Engineered neuroplasticity is a new form of rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. Vision The CNT’s transformational vision is to revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke and other debilitating neurological conditions by discovering principles of engineered neuroplasticity and developing neural devices that will assist, improve and restore sensory and motor function. Engineered neuroplasticity is a new form of rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. We are developing neural devices based on principles of engineered neuroplasticity to significantly improve the quality of life for people with sensorimotor disabilities, most immediately benefitting patient populations with spinal cord injury and stroke. We are also discovering fundamental neuroscience and engineering principles with broader implications for treating other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Our unique innovation ecosystem helps to advance these research goals, bringing together researchers, educators and industry affiliates to train future neural engineers and efficiently move research discoveries out of the lab to benefit end-users of emerging neurotechnology.
Research Areas
Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) members are engineering new ways to help the brain and spinal cord heal and recover from injury in a unique innovation ecosystem that includes researchers, educators and industry affiliates at multiple institutions and companies worldwide. We work together, with the guidance of our advisory boards, to develop and distribute neurotechnology that is revolutionizing the treatment of stroke, spinal cord injury and other debilitating neurological conditions.
Our researchers are discovering and applying principles of engineered neuroplasticity, which is a new form of physical rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. At the same time, CNT neuroethics researchers are pioneering a framework for deep integration of ethics into neural engineering research and education, and we are doing this in close partnership with neurotechnology end-users.
Each research thrust works both independently and collaboratively to enhance center-wide knowledge discovery and development. Neuroethics researchers collaborate across all research projects.
Experimental Neuroscience
Led by Eberhard Fetz and Richard Andersen, the Experimental Neuroscience Thrust uncovers principles of engineered neuroplasticity in animal models and humans.
Computational Neuroscience
Led by Rajesh Rao and Eric Shea-Brown, the Computational Neuroscience Thrust aims to better understand neural circuit dynamics and develops co-adaptive mathematical algorithms for inducing neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord.
Communication and Interface
Led by Josh Smith and Sam Kassegne, the Communication and Interface Thrust works on designs for enhancing the CNT’s Neurochip research platform, as well as multifunctional electrodes for engineering neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord.
Neuroethics
Led by Sara Goering and Eran Klein, the Neuroethics Thrust studies how ethical issues such as identity, privacy, agency and moral or legal responsibility are intertwined with neural technologies.
Facilities & Resources
Center testbeds, as the name implies, allow researchers to test new technologies, computational tools and theories being explored in Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) research thrusts. Cortical Plasticity Testbed The goal of this testbed is to engineer neuroplasticity in the brain, improving the brain’s ability to adapt and recover after injury. It is targeted toward people with neurological disorders such as stroke. This is where we will test the ability of our neural stimulation protocols to induce activity-dependent neuroplasticity by remodeling neural connections between cortical regions in the brain. Spinal Plasticity Testbed Here, we directly test our ability to engineer neuroplasticity within the spinal cord after injury. For example, we are using electrical spinal stimulation synchronized with residual muscle activity or movement in order to produce lasting improvements in hand and arm function after spinal cord injury. Co-adaptation Testbed This testbed focuses on understanding and developing mathematical algorithms designed to help a brain-computer interface co-adapt with the brain itself in a neural stimulation system. An example of work in this testbed is to quantify large-scale cortical dynamics during learning and neuroplasticity induction, as well as changes in cortical dynamics that occur when users directly control brain stimulation using their thoughts.
Partner Organizations
University of Washington
University of Freiburg
University of British Columbia
San Diego State University
Spelman College
Southwestern College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Morehouse College
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Abbreviation |
CNT
|
Country |
United States
|
Region |
Americas
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Rajesh Rao
|
Contact Title |
Co-Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
rao@cs.washington.edu
|
Website |
|
General E-mail |
thecnt@uw.edu
|
Phone |
(206) 685-8915
|
Address |
Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineer…
3800 E Stevens Way NE; Room CSE2 382
Seattle
WA
98195
|
Mission The CNT’s mission is to develop innovative neural devices and methods for directing engineered neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord, which will improve sensory and motor function for people with spinal cord injury, stroke and other neurological disorders. Engineered neuroplasticity is a new form of rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. Vision The CNT’s transformational vision is to revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke and other debilitating neurological conditions by discovering principles of engineered neuroplasticity and developing neural devices that will assist, improve and restore sensory and motor function. Engineered neuroplasticity is a new form of rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. We are developing neural devices based on principles of engineered neuroplasticity to significantly improve the quality of life for people with sensorimotor disabilities, most immediately benefitting patient populations with spinal cord injury and stroke. We are also discovering fundamental neuroscience and engineering principles with broader implications for treating other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Our unique innovation ecosystem helps to advance these research goals, bringing together researchers, educators and industry affiliates to train future neural engineers and efficiently move research discoveries out of the lab to benefit end-users of emerging neurotechnology.
Abbreviation |
CNT
|
Country |
United States
|
Region |
Americas
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Rajesh Rao
|
Contact Title |
Co-Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
rao@cs.washington.edu
|
Website |
|
General E-mail |
thecnt@uw.edu
|
Phone |
(206) 685-8915
|
Address |
Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineer…
3800 E Stevens Way NE; Room CSE2 382
Seattle
WA
98195
|
Research Areas
Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) members are engineering new ways to help the brain and spinal cord heal and recover from injury in a unique innovation ecosystem that includes researchers, educators and industry affiliates at multiple institutions and companies worldwide. We work together, with the guidance of our advisory boards, to develop and distribute neurotechnology that is revolutionizing the treatment of stroke, spinal cord injury and other debilitating neurological conditions.
Our researchers are discovering and applying principles of engineered neuroplasticity, which is a new form of physical rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to restore lost or injured connections in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. At the same time, CNT neuroethics researchers are pioneering a framework for deep integration of ethics into neural engineering research and education, and we are doing this in close partnership with neurotechnology end-users.
Each research thrust works both independently and collaboratively to enhance center-wide knowledge discovery and development. Neuroethics researchers collaborate across all research projects.
Experimental Neuroscience
Led by Eberhard Fetz and Richard Andersen, the Experimental Neuroscience Thrust uncovers principles of engineered neuroplasticity in animal models and humans.
Computational Neuroscience
Led by Rajesh Rao and Eric Shea-Brown, the Computational Neuroscience Thrust aims to better understand neural circuit dynamics and develops co-adaptive mathematical algorithms for inducing neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord.
Communication and Interface
Led by Josh Smith and Sam Kassegne, the Communication and Interface Thrust works on designs for enhancing the CNT’s Neurochip research platform, as well as multifunctional electrodes for engineering neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord.
Neuroethics
Led by Sara Goering and Eran Klein, the Neuroethics Thrust studies how ethical issues such as identity, privacy, agency and moral or legal responsibility are intertwined with neural technologies.
Facilities & Resources
Center testbeds, as the name implies, allow researchers to test new technologies, computational tools and theories being explored in Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) research thrusts. Cortical Plasticity Testbed The goal of this testbed is to engineer neuroplasticity in the brain, improving the brain’s ability to adapt and recover after injury. It is targeted toward people with neurological disorders such as stroke. This is where we will test the ability of our neural stimulation protocols to induce activity-dependent neuroplasticity by remodeling neural connections between cortical regions in the brain. Spinal Plasticity Testbed Here, we directly test our ability to engineer neuroplasticity within the spinal cord after injury. For example, we are using electrical spinal stimulation synchronized with residual muscle activity or movement in order to produce lasting improvements in hand and arm function after spinal cord injury. Co-adaptation Testbed This testbed focuses on understanding and developing mathematical algorithms designed to help a brain-computer interface co-adapt with the brain itself in a neural stimulation system. An example of work in this testbed is to quantify large-scale cortical dynamics during learning and neuroplasticity induction, as well as changes in cortical dynamics that occur when users directly control brain stimulation using their thoughts.
Partner Organizations
University of Washington
University of Freiburg
University of British Columbia
San Diego State University
Spelman College
Southwestern College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Morehouse College
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)