Research Newsletter
Spring 2019
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The Neuroplastics Group at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN) at the University of Oxford is a collaboration between several research groups who share an interest in neuroplasticity. We use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and brain stimulation techniques to examine how the brain is able to change and adapt in health and disease. This newsletter provides updates about our recent publications and conference presentations, group news, previous and upcoming events, and opportunities to participate in our studies.
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Neural basis of induced phantom limb pain relief
Sanne Kikkert, Melvin Mezue, Jacinta O'Shea, David Henderson Slater, Heidi Johansen‐Berg, Irene Tracey and Tamar Makin. Annals of Neurology, November 2018.
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After amputation of an arm, many amputees experience 'phantom limb pain' - painful sensations in their missing hand. Researchers at Oxford and University College London tested a new treatment to relieve this pain. They used transcranial direct current stimulation to manipulate brain activity in the missing hand area, while amputees were 'moving' their phantom hand inside the MRI scanner. The results show that after one session, volunteers reported significant relief of their pain for up to a week. This is a very promising result that opens up new options for treating phantom limb pain. A news article about the study written by PhD student Vicky Root can be read here.
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Melanie Fleming, Tim Theologis, Rachel Buckingham and Heidi Johansen-Berg. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, December 2018.
In this review paper, our researchers look at the literature about the efficacy of transcranial current stimulation (tDCS) to improve motor function in Cerebral Palsy. They find that initial studies have produced promising results of tDCS to improve gait, mobility and balance. The results about upper limb function are more mixed. The authors recommend further research in this field to find out what the optimal stimulation parameters are, and how we can tailor stimulation to the individual.
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Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain
Polytimi Frangou, Uzay Emir, Vasilis Karlaftis, Caroline Nettekoven, Emily Hinson, Stephanie Larcombe, Holly Bridge, Charlotte Stagg and Zoe Kourtzi. Nature Communications, January 2019.
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In our new paper we tested the role of GABA -the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain- in visual learning. We investigated the inhibitory processes that are involved when learning to find targets in cluttered background vs. learning to tell similar targets apart. We measured the concentration of GABA using ultra-high field (7-Tesla) brain imaging and a technique called Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). We combined GABA MRS with resting state functional MRI connectivity, to uncover the role of GABA in decision-making brain circuits for optimising perceptual judgements through learning and experience.
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Melis Anatürk presents her research to Parliament
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Neuroplastics DPhil student Melis Anatürk attended the STEM for BRITAIN poster competition earlier this month, which is an annual event held at the House of Parliament at Westminister. She particularly enjoyed sharing her PhD research with MPs, who were eager to hear about her recent work on how a socially and cognitive engaged lifestyle may be linked to brain ageing.
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BRC Chronic Diseases presentations
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Our research was showcased at the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Chronic Diseases event on the 26th March. Melanie Fleming gave a presentation about our ongoing study of Neurofeedback for Stroke Rehabilitation. Emily Hinson, Tom Smejka and Gershon Spitz had poster presentations which attracted a lot of interest from other clinical researchers.
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Sir Henry Dale Fellowship for Jacinta O'Shea
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Our warmest congratulations to Jacinta O'Shea, who has recently been awarded a prestigious Sir Henry Dale Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust and Royal Society. This will enable her to establish a new research group in the Department of Psychiatry starting in October. Jacinta's research aims to advance non-invasive brain stimulation into personalized precision medicine for affective disorders. We're delighted that Jacinta and her group will continue to be members of WIN and of the Neuroplastics Network.
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Three Neuroplastics Dphil students passed their viva in the past three months. Congratulations to Dr Naiara Demnitz, Dr Ainslie Johnstone and Dr Adam Steel!
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Naiara's DPhil project was supervised by Profs Klaus Ebmeier, Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg and Dr. Claire Sexton. Naiara's research combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and cognitive psychology to examine how physical activity may help promote healthy ageing in the brain.
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Adam was a student in the NIH/OxCam graduate program, supervised by Prof Charlotte Stagg at Oxford University and Dr Chris Baker at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Adam used fMRI, MR spectroscopy, and brain stimulation to probe the neural networks involved in the learning and consolidation of procedural skills, with the aim of informing rehabilitation strategy after stroke or traumatic brain injury.
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Ainslie was supervised by Profs Charlotte Stagg and Heidi Johansen-Berg. Her research focused on enhancing neuroplasticity in motor learning through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Using MRI, she looked at the neurochemical changes that occur in the brain after learning and brain stimulation.
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Brain awareness week: The learning brain
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As part of Brain awareness week, Neuroplastics researchers and other WIN members together with Oxford Sparks ran several events looking at how the brain learns. Heidi Johansen-Berg talked about the importance of physical excercise, and Tom Smejka and Jacinta O'Shea demonstrated innovative techniques to help people re-learn after stroke. You can re-watch their Facebook Live feeds here.
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WIN researchers Stuart Clare and Holly Bridge ran an experiment to find out whether it's better to cram, or to plan, for your exams. The data was collected via a fun online game, which volunteers played either spread over multiple days or in a long, single 'cramming' session. You can watch the big reveal of the results here to find out which group was more successful! Data analysis is ongoing so if you would like to contribute, you can still download the app here.
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On March 9th, Melanie, Tom, Marilien, Veerle, Fyllis, Zeena and Emily were involved in a Stroke Awareness day event, organised by researchers from Experimental Psychology and the Stroke Association.
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Nearly 100 people attended the event, which included presentations by researchers and support groups for people who have experienced stroke, as well as interactive and informative displays about our research. Melanie presented our current study looking at how sleep quality is affected by stroke.
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Access Hall Areas at St Edmund Hall on May 4th
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Access Hall Areas is a celebration of the St Edmund Hall spirit, showcasing the diverse day-to-day life of Teddy Hall and its members. Our PIs Charlotte Stagg and Heidi Johansen-Berg and other Neuroplastics members will be there to showcase our research, so please come and join us.
The wider Oxford community are invited to come along and explore the College site and historic buildings, get involved with hands-on demonstrations and experiments, enjoy varied talks on the research being carried out by our members, and take in musical and dramatic performances by the student body. All are welcome and the event is free of charge.
Date: Saturday the 4th of May
Time: 11am-5pm
Place: St Edmund Hall, Queen's Lane
More information: https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/events/access-hall-areas
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The Oxford Biomedical Research Centre is one of five centres funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The centre combines University and NHS excellence to tackle the UK’s most significant health issues. Its aim is to improve healthcare by taking laboratory research into a clinical setting.
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Please come join the Neuroplastics and other researchers for a day of demonstrations, tours, talks, and discussion about world class research happening in Oxford! You will...
- learn about new developments in biomedical research and how they are impacting care,
- find out how public and patient involvement is shaping research,
- and get a chance to meet researchers and healthcare professionals.
Date: Friday the 24th of May
Time: 2-5pm
Place: John Radcliffe Hospital
More information: https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/brc-event/oxford-brc-open-day/
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Would you like to participate in our research?
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Healthy adults and stroke survivors wanted for study about motor learning
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We are looking for volunteers to participate in a study investigating how people learn motor tasks. We are recruiting participants who are neurologically healthy, and those who have had a stroke. This study involves 3 testing sessions each lasting 2 hours, to include an MRI scan, brain stimulation session and motor learning session. MRI is a type of brain scan that allows us to see how the brain is organised, processes information and performs skills like speech or memory. This scan is safe and does not involve any needles or injections.
We need male or female volunteers who are aged 18 and over, and fluent English-speaking. Stroke survivor volunteers should have had a stroke at least 6 months previously and still have some difficulty with their hand and/or arm. You will be asked questions about your medical history to check your suitability for an MRI scan and for brain stimulation.
Testing sessions will take place at either the Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity (OHBA) or the Oxford Centre for Functional MRI (FMRIB).
If you are interested and would like more information on this study, please contact the researchers by emailing physiological.neuroimaging@gmail.com or phoning 01865 611461. There is no obligation to take part. You will be compensated for your time.
Study Title: Studying the relationship between motor learning and MRI/TMS measures in stroke survivors
Study Ethics Reference: R59721/RE001
Study Researcher: Emily Hinson ( emily.hinson@psych.ox.ac.uk)
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Healthy volunteers wanted for study about learning and sleep after brain injury
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We are looking for healthy people over the age of 18 to take part in a research study. The study aims to find out how sleep affects clinical rehabilitation outcomes. We are recruiting healthy volunteers as control participants for this study.
The study involves coming to up to two sessions to perform tasks of motor function and learning, wearing an activity watch for 1 week to measure your sleep/wake pattern, and filling out a sleep diary and some questionnaires.You would be reimbursed for your time and any travel expenses.
If you are interested, or would like to know more, we would be happy to discuss the study further with you – please contact Tom Smejka and Melanie Fleming at sleep@fmrib.ox.ac.uk
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