Our research focuses on brain-behavior relations, brain plasticity and its modulation, with a specific focus on understanding motor and cognitive circuits and the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation.  To accomplish this, the B2Lab combines precise behavioral measurements with neurophysiology and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to investigate mechanisms of motor control, learning and cognition and their impairments in neurological disorders. 

Behavioral measures range from simple psychophysics and reaction times to detailed analysis of force and movement kinematics. Neurophysiological measures include electromyography (EMG) to detect muscle activity and brain imaging measures of brain structure (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) and function (fMRI). Non-invasive brain stimulation tools to measure and modulate brain activity include multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). 

Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is rapidly developing as a powerful technique that can alter neuronal activity in specific brain areas to help better understand brain function. It is an especially promising tool in the treatment of many neurological and movement disorders such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease as NIBS can induce persistent changes in brain plasticity and potentially recalibrate and enhance neural functioning in clinical conditions. However, we have a limited understanding of how NIBS affects a person’s brain and their control of grasping behaviors.

Knowledge gained from this research will inform future translational studies to better treat motor and cognitive impairments in individuals with neurological disorders.