One method particularly suited to studying the dynamic brain is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive method of stimulating cortical brain regions in living humans. TMS is a versatile technique which can be used to probe specific excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits, to map connectivity between brain regions and to temporarily alter brain function by inducing neuroplasticity (i.e. transiently reorganising brain circuits). The ability of TMS to alter brain activity makes it a powerful tool to causally investigate the role of specific brain mechanisms, regions and networks in function and behaviour.

My research concentrates on combining TMS with neuroimaging techniques (EEG, MRI) to understand the role of excitatory/inhibitory mechanisms, brain organisation (oscillations, connectivity) and plasticity in healthy and unhealthy brain function. My specific interests include: understanding the brain mechanisms responsible for short and long term memory; developing concurrent TMS-EEG methods to non-invasively study cortical network properties; investigating whether abnormal excitation/inhibition, connectivity and plasticity contribute to cognitive deficits in mental illnesses such as schizophrenia; understanding how dynamic changes in brain organisation (i.e. oscillations, connectivity) give rise to improved or reduced behavioural performance (i.e. learning).

Related Links:

• BMH - Brain and Mental Health Laboratory
• Psych: Research Themes