# Non-invasive neuromodulation via targeted delivery of neurotransmitter chemicals

> **NIH NIH K01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $164,376

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Dr. Nicholas Todd is applying for an NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to achieve
three interrelated goals: 1) undergo training to gain expertise in two key areas of neuroscience; 2) develop
a novel approach to non-invasive neuromodulation based on targeted delivery of neurotransmitter
chemicals to the brain; 3) build a strong foundation from which to launch a career as an independent
research scientist. The grant proposal has been tailored to achieve these goals by aligning the
mentorship expertise, training program, and research aims.
Dr. Todd is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physicist by training with particular experience in MR-
guided focused ultrasound (FUS) applications and MR neuroimaging. His ambition is to have a long
research career as an independent scientist using the tools of FUS and MRI to further our understanding
of brain function and advance treatments for neurological diseases. In order to round out his skill set for
such a career, he is now seeking training in two key areas of systems level neuroscience, the
neurobiology of brain networks and modern computational methods for analyzing neuroimaging data,
and also expertise in the specific area of FUS-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening. Under
exceptional mentorship, Dr. Todd will gain a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiology of the
pain network (primary mentor, Dr. David Borsook), become proficient in applying Dynamic Causal
Modeling for analysis of neuroimaging data (mentor Dr. Lino Becerra and collaborator Dr. Karl Friston),
and become an expert in FUS-mediated BBB opening (mentor Dr. Nathan McDannold).
The research aims in the proposal build on Dr. Todd’s experience with MR neuroimaging and FUS
applications, while providing him with direct experiences in the areas of training. The research work will
develop and validate methodology for a novel approach to non-invasive neuromodulation that uses FUS-
mediated BBB opening to deliver neurotransmitters to targeted brain regions. The targeted
neurotransmitter delivery method will be used to investigate modulation of the rodent pain network.
Excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmitters will be delivered to nodes of the pain
network (thalamus and somatosensory cortex) in healthy and neuropathic pain rats. The effects will be
measured throughout the entire pain network using the three complimentary approaches of functional
MRI (fMRI), Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM), and behavioral testing.
This work will advance Dr. Todd along his path towards becoming an independent scientist. The training
component will provide Dr. Todd with the necessary knowledge of systems level neuroscience to pursue
a career using MRI and FUS for brain related research; the research component will develop a new
method for non-invasive neuromodulation that will form the basis of future work and grant applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902417
- **Project number:** 5K01EB023983-04
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas E. Todd
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $164,376
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902417

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902417, Non-invasive neuromodulation via targeted delivery of neurotransmitter chemicals (5K01EB023983-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902417. Licensed CC0.

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