The Katja Poković Research Fund
Research Project Award 2025
Project title: Temporal interference stimulation in a thalamocortical sleep model
Awardees: Dr. Joseph Tharayil
Start date: October 9, 2025
Duration: 24 months
Project summary:
Memory consolidation during sleep depends on spatiotemporal coupling between slow oscillations (SOs) – which are large amplitude, low frequency electroencephalogram (EEG) deflections in the cortex – and sleep spindles – which are oscillations of ca. 14 Hz generated by the thalamus. SOs in the cortex trigger sleep spindles in the thalamus, and these spindles then propagate back to the cortex. Direct modulation of thalamic spindles in response to cortical EEG may therefore provide enhancements in memory performance. Temporal interference stimulation (TIS), a novel technique for non-invasively targeting deep brain structures, may enable closed-loop stimulation of the thalamus to trigger sleep spindles in a brain-state-dependent manner that promotes memory consolidation.
To determine whether this is feasible, we will formulate a computational model of the thalamocortical system. We will first develop a point neuron model of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) and the associated thalamic reticular nucleus that is capable of generating thalamic SOs and spindles and determine whether TIS can enhance SOs and spindles in this model. By connecting the model to a distributed neural mass model of the cortex, we will determine whether ANT SOs are sufficient to drive the cortical SO, and whether using TIS to target the ANT can enhance cortical SOs and spindles.
Given the broad cortical involvement of SOs, it is plausible that their synchrony with sleep spindles depends on how the thalamus integrates spatially varying cortical input. We plan to expand our model to include the complete thalamocortical network and to use this model to investigate the role of spatiotemporal integration of cortical input to the thalamus in the generation of sleep spindles. We will determine whether closed-loop control of TIS can increase coupling between cortical SOs and spindles in silico by modulating thalamic and cortical activity. We will then apply TIS in vivo during sleep to determine whether we are able to increase SO-spindle coupling and whether doing so improves memory performance.
The kick-off meeting for the project was held on 9 October 2025, where Dr. Tharayil presented the project to colleagues at Z43.
Feasibility Study 2025
As part of the 2025 Katja Poković Research Project Award, one proposal was selected to be pursued as a feasibility study by Carina Fuss.
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Research Project Award 2024
Project title: Unveiling the mechanisms of temporal interference stimulation using complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor multi-electrode arrays
Awardees: Dr. Taylor Newton and Dr. Fariba Karimi
Start date: September 1, 2024
Duration: 24 months
Project summary:
Temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is a promising, non-invasive technique for stimulating deep brain structures. However, the biophysical mechanisms through which TIS influences neural activity remain poorly understood. To address this, the project will make use of recent advancements in high-density complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor multi-electrode array technology to record neural activity at high resolution from engineered neural networks grown directly on the surface of the device. By applying controlled TIS to these cultured networks and analyzing the resulting data with the aid of advanced biophysical modeling, the aim is to identify the critical features of the electromagnetic fields responsible for modulating neural activity, and the detailed mechanism(s) through which the neuromodulation occurs. This research has the potential to significantly enhance the precision and therapeutic efficacy of TIS in the treatment of neurological disorders.
Feasibility Studies 2024
As part of the 2024 Katja Poković Research Project Award, two proposals were selected to be pursued as feasibility studies by Antonino M. Cassarà and Oliver Munz.
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Research Project Award 2023
Project title: Development of a computational multiscale model of human male and female anatomy
Awardee: Dr. Bryn Lloyd
Start date: December 1, 2023
Duration: 24 months
Project summary:
The IT’IS Foundation created and curates the Virtual Population (ViP), which consists of intricately detailed virtual human models designed for dosimetric and biomedical purposes. The latest generation of these models takes 3D anatomical computational simulations to an unparalleled level of precision, featuring over 1000 tissues and organs per model. The resolution spans 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm³ across the entire body, ensuring exceptional accuracy. There is, however, the need for a hierarchical, compartmental model of the human body that allows the integration of organ-level models into a common coordinate system. Such an advancement will enable multi-scale modeling, where the cell-level model can adapt to tissue-level environmental conditions and vice versa.
The aim of this project is to develop methodologies and computer-aided tools for creating computational multi-scale models of human male and female anatomy based on the existing ViP models. While, over the years, the ViP has become a reference in computational exposure assessments, especially with respect to safety during magnetic resonance imaging measurements, the existing ViP models lack organ-specific details required for accurate modeling in other potential applications, such as neurophysiology modeling. In addition, in silico trial applications where virtual cohorts of hundreds or thousands of anatomical variations (e.g., heart shapes) are simulated require a realistic embedding, i.e., the surrounding tissues and organ structures. Our goal is, therefore, to functionalize the entire ViP by means of non-linear mapping techniques. To achieve this, the project has two specific objectives: (i) to develop techniques to generate a whole-body mapping between subjects, and (ii) to develop methodologies to align detailed organ models to the coordinate system of the whole body.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Marisa Oliveira kpresearchfund@itis.swiss.
