Optical Brain Control: Analyzing and Engineering Normal
and Pathological Neural Circuit Dynamics
Ed Boyden, PhD, Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Sciences,
Benesse Career Development Professor of Research in Education, MIT Media
Lab, esb@media.mit.edu
Many pathologies are associated with abnormalities in coordination of
neurons within and between multiple brain areas. Ed Boyden will discuss
the bioengineering of a new class of optical control technologies that
permit activation and silencing of neurons with multiple colors of light.
He will also explore how these technologies can be used to alter information
processing in neural circuits, ideally for therapeutic benefit, along
with some recent translational insights.
Providing Real Care in a Virtual Environment: The Challenges
and Potential of Clinical Practice in a Virtual World
Dan Hoch, MD, Neurologist, Massachusetts General Hospital;
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, dhoch@partners.org
The Internet has been used as an educational platform in healthcare
for many years. More recently, Web-based behavioral interventions have
also been deployed. However, the emotional connections and richness
of interaction available using a browser are limited. Three dimensional
virtual worlds like Second Life may offer a significant opportunity
for education, coaching and intervention. A collaboration between the
department of Neurology and the Benson Henry Institute for Mind Body
Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners Center for
Connected Health has been developed to explore this idea by determining
if the relaxation response can be taught to subjects through group teaching
sessions in Second Life. An existing program was adapted and volunteers
were recruited from within Second Life. Pre and post testing, using
symptom monitoring and quality of life instruments, was employed to
assess impact. The data are presently being analyzed, but qualitative
feedback from the project has already been collected and will be presented.
Moderator: Steven C. Schachter, MD, Program Leader, CIMIT Neurotechnology Program and CIMIT Site Miner, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC); Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Director of Research, Department of Neurology, BIDMC; Associate Director, Clinical Research, Harvard Medical School Osher Institute; Member, Board of the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project; Founder & Editor-in–Chief, Epilepsy & Behavior; Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsy.com; President, American Epilepsy Society, sschacht@bidmc.harvard.edu
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