ConnectToBrain 

will introduce whole-brain multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation (mTMS), in which the brain-stimulating electric-field location, direction, magnitude and timing are controlled electronically based on real-time high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) information of activity and connectivity in brain networks.

Superpositions of electric fields produced by the different overlapping coils allow spatiotemporally millimeter- and millisecond-precise stimulus sequences to arbitrary cortical sites without physical movements of the coil set. Spatial targeting of mTMS will be further improved by measuring individual brain conductivity distributions with ultra-low-field MRI.

ConnectToBrain will allow unprecedented tracking of dynamic changes and reorganization of brain networks in real time, and network-targeted closed-loop stimulation. This radically novel technology will cause a paradigm shift from current open-loop practice that is only moderately effective in therapy. We will apply ConnectToBrain to reach new levels of efficacy of therapeutic applications. Patients after stroke and with Alzheimer’s disease will be tested and treated as models of network disorders.

Our high-risk, high-gain endeavor will reach the ambitious goals only through the synergy of 3 Principal Investigators, world leaders in their complementary areas of expertise (instrumentation, algorithms, translation):  Prof. Risto Ilmoniemi, Prof. Gian Luca Romani, and Prof. Ulf Ziemann. If ConnectToBrain succeeds, we expect the value of societal, health and industrial benefits in Europe to exceed €1 billion annually, not to mention the immense value of alleviating human suffering from brain disorders

For more details on the ConnectToBrain initiative, please visit: https://www.connecttobrain.eu/

Funding: European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (ConnectToBrain, ERC synergy grant agreement No. 810377)