Current Research Projects

Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

A. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and concussion

We want to determine the tolerability of a single session of tDCS and to evaluate the effect of tDCS on resting state brain networks in symptomatic youth who have had a sports related concussion within the last 1-3 months and are still symptomatic up to 1 year post concussion.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, non-invasive neurostimulation technique that can modulate neural excitability in the brain to positively impact cognition, behaviour and mood, particularly when combined with a behavioural intervention. To our knowledge, the therapeutic potential of tDCS has not been studied in youth with concussion.

Investigators and students:  M. Willms, L. Brucar, A. Muller, F. Vila-Rodriguez,

C. Rosenblatt and N. Virji-Babul

 

B. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and observational learning

The project will investigate whether a very weak brain stimulation with direct current (tDCS) is able to enhance the learning of a motor task (= tracing a figure of a flower on a computer screen with a joystick).

Investigators and students: L. Gregory, A. Muller, F. Vila-Rodriguez, N. Hodges and N. Virji-Babul

 

C. Brain responses to emotional facial expressions

We are currently investigating emotion perception in young infants between the ages of 3-10 months of age.  Infants are shown short video clips of female actresses who show either happy, sad or expressions of pain.  We record brain activity as the infants are watching these expressions. These findings will provide important insights about the development of empathy in the first year of life.

Investigators and students: N. Rotem-Kohavi, T. Oberlander, N. Virji-Babul

 

D. The Effect of Social Context on Functional Connectivity and Between-Brain Coupling 

Investigators and students: A. Hyder, N. Virji-Babul

 

E. Brain mechanisms involved in social interaction

Investigators and students: E. Weik, A. Hyder, N. Virji-Babul, C.M. Tipper

 

F. Directed EEG connectivity in healthy adolescents and adolescents with concussion

Investigators and students: D.Hristopulos, A. Babul, S. Babul, A. Hyder, N. Virji-Babul

 

 

 

 

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