In 2013, I finished my MSc Degree in Bioengineering – Biomedical Engineering. During my dissertation, I developed software to assist doctors in pre-neurosurgical evaluation for resective surgeries and DBS, which are still being used successfully in actual clinical environments. During the last two years I worked as a researcher at INESC-TEC and Neurology Department of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in the areas of brainimaging and kinematic analysis.

A diffusion-based connectivity map of the GPi for optimised stereotactic targeting in DBS

The GPi (globus pallidus internus) is an important target nucleus for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in medically refractory movement disorders, in particular dystonia and Parkinson`s disease. Recent evidence indicates that not only neurons, but also axonal fibre tracts contribute to promoting the clinical effect.

This project aimed to explore the GPi connectivity profile and provide a connectivity-based parcellation map of the GPi. Two independent methods were performed: one based on anatomic priors set as connectivity targets and other a purely data-driven approach. Three major parcellation clusters were obtained suggesting different functionalities. The postero-ventro-lateral region displaying connectivity to the thalamus in our study and generally attributed to the sensorimotor system may be in the future the optimal target for DBS in dystonia patients.