Human Neurophysiology

Our researchers are using an array of techniques to directly and indirectly measure ongoing brain activity to study human cognition and its impairment by disease. We are using a combination of:

• In vivo single-unit electrophysiology
• Intracranial electrocorticography
• Eye tracking
• Behavioral, computational and theoretical approaches
• Neuroimaging

This research aims to expand our understanding of learning, memory and decision-making, and could lead to new potential treatments for debilitating cognitive deficits often accompanying epilepsy, movement disorders and autism.

Our scientists are studying the mechanisms by which we form memories and make decisions. They do this by studying the activity of single neurons recorded together with the local field potential in humans engaged in a variety of psychophysical tasks. This research is ongoing and contributes to our understanding of the fundamental principles by which the human nervous system works at the single-cell level. Current areas of interest that we are actively contributing to include the role of theta oscillations, novelty detection, performance monitoring, working memory, recognition of faces and cognitive flexibility.

• Principal Investigators: Adam Mamelak, MD, and Ueli Rutishauser, PhD

Scientists are studying the activity of single neurons during ictal and interictal events, as well as during normal behavior to decipher the ways by which epilepsy leads to cognitive deficits. This research is ongoing and contributing to our understanding of memory and potential treatments for debilitating memory deficits that often accompany epilepsy.

• Principal Investigators: Jeffrey Chung, MD, Adam Mamelak, MD, Chrystal Reed, MD, PhD, and Ueli Rutishauser, PhD

Implanting a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device in specific areas of the brain is an option for patients with movement disorders such as essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease or dystonia. We are using intraoperative intracranial microelectrode recordings to study neuronal activity in areas of the basal ganglia while patients perform behavioral tasks.

• Principal Investigators: Ueli Rutishauser, PhD, Adam Mamelak, MD, and Michele Tagliati, MD

A key aim of our research program is to study the human brain at the cellular level. To this end, we are performing cellular and molecular studies of resected brain tissue that was removed to treat a disease. We are performing whole-cell recordings in live brain tissue and performing transcriptomic and genomic analysis to decipher the molecular substrate of disease.

• Principal Investigators: David Hunt, PhD, and Adam Mamelak, MD

• Rutishauser Laboratory
• Hunt Laboratory