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Amanda S. TherrienView profile

Assistant Professor

• Motor Learning
• Sensorimotor Function
• Cerebellar Disorders
• +4 more

Amanda S. Therrien serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. Her primary research base is the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, where she directs the Sensorimotor Learning Laboratory. Dr. Therrien's research program centers on the neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor function and motor learning, with a specific emphasis on cerebellar disorders. She investigates how damage to the cerebellum impairs sensory and motor processing, utilizing a combination of behavioral experiments, computational modeling, and non-invasive brain stimulation. Her work on upper extremity movement and postural control aims to translate findings into innovative rehabilitation strategies for patients with ataxia and other movement disorders, including telehealth applications for cerebellar ataxia assessment. At the Sensorimotor Learning Laboratory, her team explores proprioception's role in motor adaptation and state estimation during movement, with recent publications addressing reinforcement learning after cerebellar damage and cerebellar dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. This research directly informs the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for sensory-motor impairments.

Emil YlikallioView profile

Researcher

• Neurology
• Neurogenetics
• Motor Neuron Disease
• +3 more

Emil Ylikallio is an Associated Clinical Researcher at the Medical Neurogenetics Lab within the Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM) at the University of Helsinki. He concurrently serves as a Clinical Neurologist and heads the Rare Neurological Diseases Program at HUS Helsinki University Hospital. His academic appointments include positions in the Department of Neurosciences and Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Metabolism, where he supervises doctoral candidates in Clinical Research and Biomedicine. Education includes: Licentiate of Medicine (Mechanisms and Effects of Mitochondrial DNA Instability) - University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine (2011) Master of Medical Sciences - University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine (2010) Research focuses on molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative conditions, with particular expertise in: Motor neuron disease pathogenesis and metabolic alterations Hereditary peripheral neuropathies including Charcot-Marie-Tooth variants Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological disorders Stem cell models of neuromuscular diseases His work bridges clinical neurology with basic research in neurogenetics. Publication analysis reveals strong focus on: Genetic basis of peripheral neuropathies and motor neuron disorders Metabolic dysregulation in neuromuscular conditions Stem cell modeling of neurological diseases Identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets Research employs cutting-edge techniques including cellular reprogramming, CRISPR modification, and multi-omics approaches. Current research leadership includes: Principal Investigator for 'Axon degeneration: new mechanisms, biomarkers and treatment' project (Funded by Academy of Finland) Project lead for Swedish Masonic Order-funded research (2025-2027) Supervises doctoral candidates and serves on national/international committees. Leads research activities through the Medical Neurogenetics Lab and collaborates extensively with HUS Neurocenter. Team focuses on translational research bridging molecular discoveries with clinical neurology applications.

Vitoria PiaiView profile

Research Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Language Processing
• Electrophysiology
• +5 more

Vitoria Piai is a Principal Investigator specializing in language function and dysfunction at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. With over 135 publications and 2,595 citations, her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying language production using electrophysiological methods including EEG and MEG. Dr. Piai's research interests center on speech production, particularly examining the temporal dynamics of lexical and phonological processing. Her work investigates how brain oscillations relate to different stages of speech planning, how cognitive control mechanisms operate during language production, and how language networks adapt following brain damage. She employs various paradigms including picture-word interference, context-driven word production, and sentence comprehension tasks to explore these questions. Analysis of her recent publications (2024-2025) reveals consistent focus on neural oscillations during speech production, particularly examining alpha and beta band activity. Her work increasingly bridges cognitive neuroscience with clinical applications, investigating language production in aging populations, individuals with aphasia, and those with neurological conditions. She frequently employs multimodal approaches, combining behavioral measures with electrophysiological recordings to provide comprehensive insights into language processing. Dr. Piai has established significant research collaborations across institutions, particularly with colleagues at Radboud University, University of California Berkeley (where she completed postdoctoral work), and various clinical centers. Her work contributes to both theoretical understanding of language production mechanisms and practical applications for language assessment and rehabilitation.

• Neurosciences
• Cognitive and computational psychology
• Biological psychology
• +4 more

Dr. Meaghan Spedden is a Research Fellow at University College London's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, specializing in neuroimaging of language processing and motor control. She works within the MEG group at the Functional Imaging Laboratory under Professor Gareth Barnes, developing innovative optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) techniques for concurrent brain-spinal cord imaging. Her research bridges movement neuroscience and language processing, with dual projects focusing on: (1) developing novel OPM-based scanning for simultaneous brain-spinal cord activity recording to understand neural communication in motor control, and (2) investigating brain activity in deaf children during reading and sign language using OPM technology. Key research areas include neuroimaging methodology, neural communication pathways, developmental motor learning, and cross-modal language processing. Her publication trends demonstrate expertise in wearable MEG technology, with recent work emphasizing spinal cord biomagnetism, corticomuscular connectivity, and developmental neuroplasticity. Articles reveal strong focus on methodological innovation in neuroimaging, particularly for dynamic natural movements and pediatric populations. Spedden collaborates extensively with the Visual Communication Group at the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience and the MEG group at the Functional Imaging Laboratory. Her technical work involves advanced OPM-MEG development, real-time magnetic field correction, and computational modeling for neural source localization.

• Functional Neurosurgery
• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Brain Connectivity
• +7 more

Harith Akram serves as an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor and Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Clinical and Movement Neurosciences department at University College London. As a certified neurosurgeon specializing in functional neurosurgery and deep brain stimulation, he maintains active clinical practice alongside his academic work, as evidenced by his doctors.org.uk email address. Dr. Akram's research focuses on developing translational methods in diffusion and functional MRI brain connectivity to improve the safety and efficacy of neurosurgical interventions. His work spans multiple domains including Parkinson's disease, dystonia, essential tremor, laryngeal dystonia, and neuro-oncology applications. He has made significant contributions to understanding brain connectivity patterns relevant to movement disorders and brain tumors. Analysis of his recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on deep brain stimulation techniques, brain connectivity mapping, and novel applications of imaging in functional neurosurgery. His work demonstrates increasing sophistication in targeting approaches, with publications on directional DBS leads, FAT1-weighted MRI guidance, and network-based targeting for various conditions. Several high-impact papers have emerged from his research, including a Nature Neuroscience publication on mapping dysfunctional circuits in the frontal cortex using DBS. Dr. Akram appears deeply engaged in both clinical innovation and surgical education, with publications addressing anatomical accuracy in surgical nomenclature and methods for optimizing surgical efficiency. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous multicenter studies across different neurological conditions. His clinical and research activities support Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), with particular emphasis on improving neurological care through advanced neurosurgical techniques and precision targeting based on individual brain connectivity patterns.

• Neurosciences
• Parkinson's Disease
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• +5 more

Dr. Anders Borgkvist is a Principal Researcher at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, where he leads the Anders Borgkvist group . His research focuses on molecular and circuit-level mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, with emphasis on dopamine signaling, synaptic plasticity, and basal ganglia pathophysiology. Research Interests: Dr. Borgkvist's work spans Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum disorders, and neuropharmacology. Key areas include: Dopamine-serotonin/acetylcholine cotransmission in striatonigral pathways Synaptic filtering and plasticity in motor sensitization mTOR/autophagy dysregulation in neurodevelopment KCC2-mediated GABAergic inhibition in Parkinsonian motor deficits Grants: Swedish Research Council (2025–2028): Targeting dysregulated basal ganglia output in Parkinson’s disease (investigating KCC2 enhancement as therapy). Swedish Research Council (2017–2020): Synaptic plasticity at dopamine synapses in motor cortex during motor learning . Swedish Research Council (2009–2011): Optical studies on synaptic mechanisms of learning and addiction . His lab utilizes cutting-edge techniques including in vivo fiber photometry, GCaMP imaging, and transgenic models to dissect neural circuit dysfunctions. Collaborations include international experts in neurochemistry and movement disorders.

• Motor Control
• Neurorehabilitation
• Biomechanics
• +3 more

Rasmus Feld Frisk serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in motor control research within the Nielsen Lab. His work focuses on neural mechanisms of movement disorders, particularly in cerebral palsy populations, utilizing biomechanical and neurophysiological methodologies to investigate gait abnormalities and rehabilitation strategies. His primary research interests encompass motor control dysfunctions in neurological disorders, with emphasis on cerebral palsy pathophysiology, gait biomechanics, sensory-motor integration, and neural drive mechanisms. Current investigations analyze ankle joint mechanics, contracture development, and the efficacy of motor-learning interventions for improving functional mobility in both pediatric and adult patients. Analysis of his 2019-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on cerebral palsy rehabilitation, demonstrating expertise in quantifying neural control of movement through electromyography, gait analysis, and muscle property assessments. His collaborative work bridges clinical neurology and engineering to develop targeted therapeutic approaches for movement disorders. Dr. Frisk maintains active research operations within the Nielsen Lab at the University of Copenhagen's Neuroscience Department, where his team investigates fundamental neural control principles with direct clinical applications for movement disorder rehabilitation.