Neuroimmune Sensing - Neurotechnology Projects
BASIC SCIENCE:
Our laboratory is carrying out basic science research:
1) We are developing high resolution human host inflammatory models i.e., intravenous Lipopolysacharide (LPS) injection, and now are expanding to live pathogen challenge studies.
2) We are developing novel applications to sense neuronal activity in the central and peripheral nervous system pre-to-post an inflammatory challenge.
3) We are using focused ultrasound spleen stimulation (FUSS) to non-invasively modulate inflammatory innate immune responses in a Lipopolysaccharide intravenous injection challenge.
4) We are developing novel biomarkers responsive to neuromodulation.
5) We are developing novel ultrasonic powered treatments for Trigeminal Neuralgia
6) We are developing novel AI modeling techniques to identify risk of infection derived from physiology and electronic medical record data
7) We are developing novel AI modeling techniques that classify risk of infection based on physiology and host based molecular biomarkers.
CLINICAL TRIALS:
Our laboratory is carrying out two clinical trials:
1)https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04803409?term=lerman%2C+Imanuel&draw=2&rank=1
This clinical trial aims to determine if Splenic Focused Ultrasound may block inflammation in COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, and improve outcomes.
This clinical trial aims to determine if non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation(nVNS) will alter: 1) the peripheral inflammatory biomarker profile, 2) the neural correlates of change in pain stimuli, 3) PTSD symptom severity and 4) life quality and function in Veterans with PTSD.
We gratefully acknowledge the following agencies for their support of our research program:
Funding:
David and Janice Katz Neural Sensor Research Fund in Memory of Allen E. Wolf
Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) and SecondWave Systems. Ultrasound Neural and Immunomodulation Treatment Evaluation Study (UCSD-SW) for COVID-19 .
Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) #7515011900038: In-vivo Vagus Sentinels to Detect and Prevent Infection.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) KR Award # 304125-0001: Novel Vagus Nerve Signaling to Improve Learning Throughout Adverse Sleep Challenge (NOVEL-TASC).
Career Development Program - Panel I (RRD8) #1IK2RX002920-01A: Vagal nerve stimulation to probe inflammation and brain in posttraumatic stress
Katz Neural Engineering Fund: Funding focused ultrasound neurostimulation device development.
NEVRO LLC: Functional Neuroimaging to Identify Antinociceptive Neural Signatures of High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Center for Stress Mental Health (CESAMH): Funding pilot project development.