Neurophysiological mechanisms of hypoperfusion in stroke

Perception, action and cognition are achieved through complex functional interactions between highly interconnected regions in the brain. Blood supply plays a key role in supporting the reorganization of brain functional architecture. Thus, an abnormal blood supply in a brain area can disrupt this coordinated activity, and yields behavioural deficits, which can strongly affect people’s quality of life.
In this project, I will shed light on the disruption of the neurovascular, neurophysiological, and behavioural relationship associated with brain injury by using a multimodal neuroimaging approach. First, I will develop novel analytical tools to study functional connectivity in the injured brain. Secondly, to better understand the physiological basis of brain networks, I will investigate the coupling between electrophysiological and hemodynamic measures of functional connectivity in healthy subjects. Finally, I will assess longitudinally the neurovascular and neurophysiological rearrangements underlying functional recovery in stroke patients, and examine how and to which extent changes in functional connectivity in brain networks are causally linked to changes in brain perfusion.
This project will provide new insights into the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying behavioural dysfunctions after brain injuries, and will contribute to the improvement of current rehabilitation protocols in stroke.