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NIH grant 1R01NS144127-01A1: Developing a Deep Multimodal Immersive Framework for Cortical Motor Entrainment of Rhythmic Audio-Visual Stimuli
Institute: {'code': 'NS', 'abbreviation': 'NINDS', 'name': 'National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke', 'admin_org_id': '12500053', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Yalda Shahriari. Award: $187400.
Start: 2026-07-22T00:00:00.
The objective of this proposal is to develop a novel multimodal framework to investigate the neural
mechanisms behind rhythmic motor entrainment using rhythmic audio-visual stimulation (RAVS). Rhythmic
motor entrainment has shown significant potential in motor recovery for conditions like Parkinson’s disease
and stroke, but the underlying neural mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This project will bridge that
gap by integrating electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),
electromyography (EMG), and virtual reality (VR) to analyze multiscale neural dynamics during motor
entrainment. Our long-term goal is to develop advanced multimodal strategies that link observed clinical
benefits of RAVS to underlying integrative neural mechanisms, ultimately paving the way for more targeted
and effective neurorehabilitation approaches. Our central hypothesis is that rhythmic auditory-visual
stimulation (RAVS) in an immersive environment will entrain multiscale neural dynamics, modulating
functional coupling between motor and auditory cortices while synchronizing their coupling with external
stimuli. The hypothesized modulatory effects on rhythmic motor entrainment will be empirically assessed
using multiscale auditory-motor and cortico-muscular coupling analysis. To test our hypothesis, we will
develop a multimodal VR interface (VRI)-based RAVS framework integrating rhythmic auditory stimulation
(RAS) and action observation (ROA) of audio-synced agent movements to entrain multiscale neural dynamics
(Specific Aim 1). We will then determine multiscale neural interactions between auditory and motor cortices
and their synchronization with external stimuli during RAVS through development of adaptive self-supervised
phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) and deep multimodal canonical correlation analysis (dmCCA) pipelines
(Specific Aim 2). The proposed computational frameworks will be validated in both healthy individuals and
stroke patients with preserved dorsal auditory–motor pathways to establish generalizability and translational
relevance. Finally, we will define personalized rhythmic motor entrainment of integrative neural dynamics in
RAVS through the development of a customizable closed-loop framework (Specific Aim 3), tested in both
populations. This project is significant because it will advance knowledge of neural mechanisms driving
rhythmic motor entrainment, uncover novel neurophysiological markers for auditory-motor coupling, and
develop personalized neurorehabilitation strategies. The expected outcome is a multimodal computational
framework that identifies neural signatures of rhythmic motor entrainment through multiscale electro-vascular
coupling in an immersive setup, while highlighting individual differences in response to RAVS. This will enable
the discovery of personalized neural signatures, improving the efficacy of interventions for conditions like
stroke. Furthermore, it will pave the way for customized treatments in motor recovery, contributing significantly
to advancements in assistive technologies and neurorehabilitation strategies.document fetched 2026-08-02 08:24