The Donders Laboratory for non-invasive brain stimulation

Three research centres of the Radboud University Nijmegen deal with neuroscience research. To realize optimal research interaction, the centres were organizationally joined in 2008 into the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour (DI) in which a nationally recognized graduate school for cognitive neuroscience is embedded. Since 2004, the DI houses a laboratory dedicated to various forms of transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS) and transcranial current stimulation. This laboratory has been managed as a unit facility at two specialized locations: Clinically-oriented and motor control investigations take place at the department of neurology of the UMCN (DCN); basic cognitive research, supported by other imaging facilities, is performed at the neuroimaging centre (DCCN). After a successful build-up phase and intensive use for more than five years, this laboratory aims at fully exploiting the unique expertise of the DI for multi-modal investigation of human brain activity and neural connectivity, contributing to the world-leading reputation of this institute. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to improve the technical equipment of the laboratory. Examples are the simultaneous use of multiple TMS coils, the use of cooled TMS coils, and the possibility to concurrently influence (with TMS and current stimulation) and measure (with electroencephalography) electric brain activity. Access to this technologically advanced equipment will make it possible to both alter and measure the connectivity of human brain networks, an essential element for understanding the physiological mechanisms that support the human mind. Furthermore, these technical improvements will provide a unique methodological bridge between fundamental neurobiological research on animal models, neurophysiological research on humans, and (pre-)clinical applications, facilitating multi-disciplinary integration across three research areas where the DI is at the international forefront.