Members

My research focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms that underpin human sensorimotor function. My research utilises a range of approaches, including state-of-the-art MR imaging and spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography, and non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the pathophysiology of common mental/brain health conditions. A key focus is developing the next generation of novel therapeutic approaches for mental/brain health conditions based on wearable technology and non-invasive brain stimulation. To this end I am a founding Non-Executive Director, and Chief Scientific Officer, of Neurotherapeutics Ltd.

Dr Alex Casson is a Reader in the Materials, Devices and Systems division of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on non-invasive bioelectronic interfaces: the design and application of wearable sensors, and skin-conformal flexible sensors, for human body monitoring and data analysis from highly artefact prone naturalistic situations. This work is highly multi-disciplinary and he has research expertise in:
– Ultra low power microelectronic circuit design at the discrete and fully custom microchip levels.
– Sensor signal processing and machine learning for power and time constrained motion artefact rich environments.
– Manufacturing using 3D printing, screen printing, and inkjet printing.
He has particular interests in closed loop systems: those which are tailored to the individual by personalised manufacturing via printing; and tailored to the individual by adjusting non-invasive stimulation (light, sound, electrical current) using data driven responses/outputs from real-time signal processing. Dr Casson’s ultra low power sensors work is mainly for health and wellness applications, with a strong background in brain interfacing (EEG and transcranial current stimulation) and heart monitoring. Applications focus on both mental health situations including chronic pain, sleep disorders, and autism, and physical health/rehabilitation applications including diabetic foot ulceration, and chronic kidney disease.

Electrical stimulation therapies represent nonpharmacologic treatment options for chronic pain management. However, we do not understand how these therapies work and this knowledge gap continues to limit the success of these technologies. Therefore, our research group implements a patient-specific approach that integrates detailed clinical mechanistic testing with computational models. We believe that this systematic approach will improve our scientific understanding of neurostimulation for chronic pain and provide scientific guidance to individualize and optimize several components of these neurostimulation technologies.

My main interest is in understanding how our body representation changes in the brain (brain plasticity). Our primary model for brain plasticity is hand function and dysfunction, and how we could use technology to increase hand functionality in able and disabled individuals at all ages.

My research focuses on the neurobiology of decision-making and learning. I use multimodal neuroimaging and neurostimulation methods to uncover the roles of multiple areas in the brain, predominantly the prefrontal cortex. Recently, I have shown that transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation can safely change neural activity in precise parts of the brain, both in non-human primates and humans. I am now working towards bringing this technology forward and apply it to mental health challenges.

My lab seeks to investigate the multisensory bodily basis for self-consciousness. We do this by creating ‘out of body’ illusions using virtual reality setups, and by measuring the integration of multisensory exteroceptive and interoceptive bodily signals in neurotypical participants, participants with autism, and participants living with chronic pain and depersonalisation.