# Brain Stimulation Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $244,255

## Abstract

The BSTIM Core provides access to state-of-the-art brain stimulation methods both to measure brain activity
and to apply as a potential therapy to modify brain circuitry. During Phase I, BSTIM coalesced several brain
stimulation laboratories at MUSC that now operate as a shared core resource. Phase II will enhance BSTIM’s
stature as a premier resource in brain stimulation methods for neuromodulation and stroke recovery research.
MUSC is one of few places where investigators can use transcranial magnetic stimulation within the scanner
(interleaved TMS/fMRI) to directly examine the causal nature of induced activity in cortical and subcortical
nodes of brain networks. The Director, Mark George, MD, is a recognized expert in the field. The Associate
Director, Colleen Hanlon, PhD, is a Phase I COBRE graduate with experience integrating neuroimaging and
brain stimulation techniques with behavioral outcomes to address fundamental questions about the brain’s
ability to recover function following injury. COBRE funds will support a Bioengineer (shared with the NI Core) to
oversee the technical aspects of the labs, maintain all equipment and develop new analysis routines; a full-time
Research Technician to assist with neurophysiological data collection and neuromodulation protocols; and
dedicated effort for experienced senior personnel to provide mentoring and methods development in brain
stimulation techniques and measurements for human and animal studies. BSTIM has four aims: 1) Brain
Stimulation for Assessment. Tools and services for assessment include basic TMS-measured neurophysiology
(motor threshold, cortical silent period, paired pulse, and recruitment curves); image-guided stimulation;
specialized approaches such as bi-hemispheric paired pulse TMS for transcallosal measurements and paired-
associative stimulation (PAS) for measures of brain plasticity; and invasive and noninvasive brain stimulation in
animal models. 2) Brain Stimulation for Rehabilitation. Tools and services include imaged-guided TMS and
repetitive TMS inside or outside the scanner and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with computer
models of the flow of current. The BSTIM Core can help researchers use other methods such as
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), non-invasive cervical or auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain
stimulation (DBS), epidural cortical stimulation, transcranial pulsed ultrasound, et al., as research progresses.
3) Theory-Based Outcome Measures. By continually developing innovative methodologies and analysis
techniques, BSTIM will generate high quality, reproducible, quantitative data to help identify neurophysiological
“biomarkers.” BSTIM will be a leader in forming large multi-system quantitative data sets for inclusion in the
COBRE Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Database (CMD), and seek to become a leader in coalescing large
data sets through leading or participating in national and international collaborations. 4) Mentoring. The goa...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9904715
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109040-07
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK S GEORGE
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $244,255
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-06-02 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9904715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9904715, Brain Stimulation Core (5P20GM109040-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9904715. Licensed CC0.

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