The primary focus of my research revolves around brain states; how they are dynamically established, enforced by top-down influences, and how we can modulate them. During my PhD, I addressed the role of rhythmic brain activity in enabling flexible and swift reconfiguration of the functional state of networks. Currently I am working on using brain states to inform parameters to modulate the ongoing state. I am implementing state-dependent auditory stimulation during sleep to modulate slow rhythmic activity. An application of my work will be the development of a novel sleep-based treatment technology for major depression based on auditory closed-loop modulation of sleep slow waves and related neuroplasticity processes ('Auditory closed-loop modulation of sleep slow waves to treat major depression’, Research group Nissen). In an ongoing project, I am investigating how brain states are enforced by top-down influences. As these enforcing influences constrain the extent to which we can shape neuronal activity, manipulating these control processes before the target intervention may lead to more robust and predictable effects. And hence allow us to manipulate sleep states more efficiently and selectively.
