The Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation (PNN) program at MGH, directed by Dr. Emiliano Santarnecchi, leverages the combination of multimodal neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI, DTI and PET), electrophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, computational modeling, and noninvasive brain stimulation methods for the investigation of brain circuitry and its relationship to cognitive abilities. The program is centered around the concepts of brain connectomics, network neuroscience and brain plasticity, offering a transversal view of healthy and pathological brain functioning from micro to meso and macro scale. 

We are interested in both cognitive and neural aspect of brain health and healthy aging, spanning from the idea of brain resilience to external perturbation to the role of brain efficiency and brain plasticity, also looking at how these factors interact in the context of cognitive reserve. The program also addresses the need for personalized, image-guided solutions to modulate brain “activity” and manipulate the human connectome, for both cognitive enhancement and clinical applications. Approaches leveraging network control theory and evolutionary game theory models of brain functioning are used to identify personalized stimulation targets and maximize brain control, while techniques like cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) TMS and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are used to induce synchronization of brain networks. Recent efforts have been pointed in the direction of modulating the brain connectome in patients with brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease, with ongoing national and international clinical trials.