Discovering the neural correlates of the muscular activity involved in a Reach-and-Grasp task in Healthy and Deficient Mammals

KEY WORDS

CITY

COUNTRY

France

DETAILS OF THE OFFER

Working place: INSERM U1093 laboratory in Dijon / université de bourgogne

Missions:

This is a project to understand how the brain controls muscular contractions during the reach and grasp task. To answer this question, we will analyze two types of neuronal recordings to see if the patterns of neural synchronization over the course of this task are able to explain what is seen at the muscular level. We will also use our understanding of neuronal cluster formation to make predictions concerning the reach and grasp task. This part of the project will be done using Machine Learning. We will use two types of neuronal recordings to investigate the reach and grasp task 1. Multunit recordings from over 200 electrodes in the monkey brain (recordings from Dr Numa Dancause of the Université de Montréal) 2. Human EEG recordings (to be performed at INSERMU1093, UB). The ability to make predictions concerning the reach and grasp task with the human EEG data would be useful for the control of prosthetic limbs. We propose an improvement over previous efforts to do this by testing the most recent advance in Machine Learning predictions for time series, namely, transformer networks. This method is to be compared with older methods such as convolutional neural networks. Finally we will analyze alterations in neural clustering using a reversible mammalian models of neuronal command inactivation from the laboratory of Dr Dancause. The multicellular recordings from monkeys in this Canadian laboratory provide us with the rare opportunity for a fine grained investigation of brain plasticity and neuronal clustering following brain injury.

The PhD contract for these studies will begin in October 2024.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this project will have taken classes in Machine Learning as well as Neuroscience. The candidate must know how to program. Some notions concerning the neuronal control of movement would also be appreciated

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TYPE OF JOB

TYPE OF CONTRACT

CDD (temporary / 36 months)

REMUNERATION

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EMPLOYMENT START DATE