TRAIN: Translational Research in Assistive and Interventional Neurotechnologies
Our team develops and investigates neurotechnologies within a translational research framework, ranging from preclinical models to clinical proof-of-concept studies. Our research aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying different neuromodulation strategies for motor and cognitive disorders, and to assess their feasibility and efficacy for assistive and therapeutic applications. Assistive neurotechnologies are designed to improve motor or cognitive functions while they are being used, whereas therapeutic neurotechnologies aim to promote lasting functional improvements by stimulating neuroplasticity mechanisms through repeated applications. Our research activities focus on the following projects:
MEMOPROSTHETICS: Effects of Intracranial Stimulation of the Hippocampal Formation on Memory in Non-Human Primates
We investigate the effects of intracranial electrical stimulation of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex on memory performance and gene expression profiles in non-human primates, both under healthy conditions and following the development of Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. This project is conducted in collaboration with Erwan Bezard and Professor Vincent Planche, particularly regarding aspects related to tau pathology.
Team members involved: Adrien Boissenin, Mathieu Taillade.
Former team members: Ankur Gupta, Nikolaos Vardalakis.
Funding: Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Research Chair (2020–2023) and the ERC Starting Grant MEMOPROSTHETICS awarded to Fabien Wagner (2022–2027, No. 101040391).
Publications: Gupta et al., Communications Biology (2023); Gupta, Boissenin et al., Journal of Neural Engineering (2025); Valcourt Caron et al., Scientific Data (2025).
Computational Modeling of Hippocampal Neurostimulation
In collaboration with Dr. Amélie Aussel and Dr. Nicolas Rougier from the Mnemosyne team at Inria, we aim to understand how hippocampal neurostimulation influences theta-gamma oscillations using conductance-based computational models.
Team member involved: Maeva Andriantsoamberomanga.
Former team member: Nikolaos Vardalakis.
Funding: Inria doctoral fellowship awarded to Maeva Andriantsoamberomanga (2022–2026).
Publications: Vardalakis et al., eLife (2024); Andriantsoamberomanga et al., bioRxiv (2026).
SHIVA-CogNeurophys: Multimodal Digital Therapies to Improve Cognitive Function in Cerebrovascular Diseases
This clinical feasibility study is part of the Vascular Brain Health Institute (https://vbhi-institute.org/) and is sponsored by Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU de Bordeaux) as an interventional research study (medical investigators: Professor Igor Sibon and Dr. Nicolas Borderies; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07068620).
This collaborative project comprises three components. The first aims to identify EEG biomarkers of cognitive impairment associated with cerebral small vessel disease (Fabien Lotte, Inria). The second investigates the short-term effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) targeting the frontoparietal network on associative memory and visual attention (Fabien Wagner and Amélie Aussel). Finally, the third evaluates the long-term effects of cognitive training on overall cognitive function (Hélène Sauzéon, Inria).
Team member involved: Mathilde Reynes.
Funding: Doctoral fellowship from the French Foundation for Medical Research (Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, FRM) awarded to Mathilde Reynes (2024–2027, No. ECO202406019157), and internal funding from the VBHI.
TIMe: Temporal Interference Stimulation for Memory
The TIMe (Temporal Interference for Memory) interventional study, sponsored by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), aims to evaluate the effects of transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) targeting the hippocampus on associative memory in young and older healthy volunteers. The study is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Thomas Boraud.
Team member involved: Mathilde Reynes.
Funding: Doctoral fellowship from the French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM) awarded to Mathilde Reynes (2024–2027, No. ECO202406019157), and the ERC Starting Grant MEMOPROSTHETICS awarded to Fabien Wagner (2022–2027, No. 101040391).
BrainSpineStim: Synergistic Effects of Non-Invasive Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation
This interventional study, sponsored by the CNRS, is conducted in collaboration with Professor Hélène Cassoudesalle, a specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine, Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU de Bordeaux), and the Centre de la Tour de Gassies.
The BrainSpineStim project evaluates the short-term effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) targeting the cervical spinal cord, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the motor cortex, and the combination of both approaches on sensorimotor and cognitive functions in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries or a history of stroke (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07334977).
The study also investigates the mechanisms underlying cervical tSCS using electrophysiological measurements in healthy volunteers and patients with spinal cord injuries or a history of stroke.
Team member involved: Nabila Brihmat.
Funding: The French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM) “Return to France” postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Nabila Brihmat (2024–2027, No. ARF202309017508), and funding from the Institute for Research on the Spinal Cord and Brain (Institut pour la Recherche sur la Moelle épinière et l’Encéphale, IRME), awarded to Nabila Brihmat and Fabien Wagner (2025–2027).
Publication: Alashqar et al., bioRxiv (2026).
REACH: Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation to Improve Sensorimotor Recovery Following Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
This Franco-German project is coordinated by Fabien Wagner on the French side and Andreas Rowald (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg) on the German side, in collaboration with Bordeaux University Hospital and three specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine: Professor Hélène Cassoudesalle, Professor Patrick Dehail, and Dr. Cécile Lambert.
REACH (Reaching achieved by Electrical Activation of the Cervical spinal nerves controlling arm and Hand function) aims to optimize transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to promote upper-limb functional recovery following cervical spinal cord injury.
The project will combine neuroimaging, biophysical modeling, electrophysiological recordings, rehabilitation, and clinical assessments. The clinical study will be conducted in Bordeaux, while personalized digital twins for each patient will be developed in Germany.
Team member involved: Nabila Brihmat.
Funding: ANR-DFG International Collaborative Research Project (2027–2030).
