Dr Jason Potas

Augmented Sensorimotor Systems group

Research interests:

Humans have a sophisticated somatosensory system (system of body sensors) which performs a variety of tasks we take for granted. Not only does it provide our motor system with feedback that enables fine motor control, but it also connects our brains to the outside world by providing us with the capacity to explore our environment as well as enjoy a physical connection with others.

While there have been recent outstanding advancements in motor prosthetics which can read brain signals and translate these into complex movement of a robotic arm, the loss of somatosensation limits the success of these motor prostheses. We are yet to work out how to close the loop with sensory feedback which is necessary to inform the brain of the position and textural experiences which drive our motor system to react appropriately. However, even with motor function, those who lose somatosensation (for example due to spinal cord injury or nerve damage) become disconnected from others including loved ones. Imagine what it must be like to shake someone’s hand, or picking up a small child, after your hand is replaced with a mechanical device; not only would you have poor grip, but you would miss out on the experience of the warmth and softness of human contact.

The focus of our research is to “close the loop” on sensorimotor control. We use a combination of electrophysiology, signal processing and machine learning in small animal models to discover how sensory information is coded in different parts of the central nervous system. We are looking at certain brain regions for the potential to replaced lost sensory information with electrical inputs from a prosthetic device (neural prosthesis). More information can be found here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00156

One of our brain regions of interest is the dorsal column nuclei (DCN), where somatosensory information from the body is “summarised” before it is sent to higher brain regions for further processing. By stimulating the body and recording multiple electrical signatures in the DCN, we have been able to extract information and use machine learning to inform us of: i) the location, and ii) the quality of a sensory event experienced on the body. By reading the DCN, we can already successfully discriminate between various somatosensory modalities such as different tactile stimuli as well as changes in limb position.

Another key area of interest is how somatosensory information is processed and distributed within the brain and spinal cord. Pain, tactile and proprioceptive information are segregated within the spinal cord, but during injury, problems with cross-talk between these systems can arise. Our goal is to improve our understanding of how these different somatosensory sub-modalities are dealt with by the spinal cord, so that pain can be turned down, but without affecting the other somatosensations we need to function normally.

Current projects:

Bionic touch: We are investigating the potential for the DCN as a somatosensory neuroprosthetic target. This project decodes sensory signals in the DCN in response to peripheral stimuli to predict the location and quality of sensory input. We will also stimulate the DCN to “recreate” the same electrical signatures evoked by natural stimuli.

DCN activity mapping: DCN activity is not symmetrically mapped across the surface of the brainstem. This project investigates the asymmetry of sensory representation in the context of handedness.

Spinal cord pre-processing of somatosensation: Sensory information may be significantly modified between the periphery and the DCN. This project focuses on the influence the spinal cord has on modulating ascending sensory inputs to the DCN.

Red light therapy in neuronal injury: Another interest of our group is how the somatosensory and motor systems are affected by injury. This project investigates the use of red light therapy for treating the nervous system in response to injury.

Pain and touch processing: How can we manipulate the brain and spinal cord to turn down unwanted pain, but without affecting touch and proprioception? We apply several approaches, which include the use of new nanomedicines and sophisticated electrical neuromodulation techniques to isolate pain pathways from other important somatosensory modalities.