Functional and Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory

The Functional and Cognitive Neurophysiology laboratory, led by Dr. Sameer Sheth, focuses on the study of human decision-making and cognition, as well as on the development of novel therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders. To accomplish these goals, we take a two-fold approach. First, we work with neurosurgical patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS), epilepsy monitoring, and other procedures that require the placement of intracranial electrodes. We use single-neuron and field potential recordings as well as stimulation to understand the circuitry underlying complex cognitive functions such as controlled decision-making, memory formation, and emotional regulation. Second, we develop and refine neuromodulatory treatments for refractory neurological and psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and many others. These disorders often arise from dysfunction in the same circuits mentioned above. Thus the two efforts advance synergistically, with a constant back-and-forth flow of ideas. Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of this work, the lab interacts closely with many other disciplines, including Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Neurology, Computational Science, Engineering, and others.

• Investigating DBS for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A New Platform Based on Individualized Intracranial Recording and Stimulation
• Investigating the neural mechanisms underlying ad-hoc self-programmability
• Investigating the physiology of controlled decision-making in human prefrontal cortex 
• Investigating cortical and basal ganglia networks involved in disorders or mental health 
• Developing novel targets and indications for neuromodulation