Christophe Grova
Associate Professor
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
Adjunct Member
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Grova investigates multimodal data fusion to characterize brain mechanisms and especially epileptic activity. His research project aims at developing methods to appropriately combine multimodal data in order to detect additional information that could be missed by considering each modality individually. A typical challenge is to combine modalities directly measuring neuronal activity with high temporal resolution with other modalities indirectly measuring the same function with high spatial resolution, through hemodynamic processes for instance. The project will involve the integration of three promising functional modalities:
- Simultaneous ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG) - MagnetoEncephaloGraphy (MEG) acquisitions, measuring directly on the scalp electric and magnetic components of signals generated by neurons synchronously active (at a ms scale).
- Simultaneous EEG - functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) acquisitions to measure, within the whole brain at a second scale, hemodynamic responses that correlate with signals detected on scalp EEG.
- Simultaneous EEG - Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) acquisitions to measure local changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin at the time of signals detected on scalp EEG, by exploiting absorption properties of infrared light within brain tissues using optic fibres placed on the surface of the head. Note that our EEG/NIRS laboratory is located in Biomedical Engineering dpt and easily accessible from the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre.