Xiaoqi Zhu

Project Title: Electrophysiological investigation of temporal interference brain stimulation
Supervisor: Dr Nir Grossman
Location: Burlington Danes Building, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, W12 0NN

About me

I am a PhD student in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London, studying the dynamics and mechanisms of temporal interference (TI) brain stimulation via electrophysiological techniques. During my Master's program, I began to study TI stimulation and then decided to study for my PhD in Dr Nir Grossman's lab based on my previous experience

Qualifications

2016-2019: MEng (Honors) in Biomedical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
2012-2016: BEng in Biomedical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Research Interests

TI brain stimulation is a non-invasive deep brain stimulation technique. The concurrent recording of electrophysiological signals (e.g., local field potential, LFP) during TI stimulation would facilitate the investigation of the brain responses to it. However, the nonlinear artefacts and direct current (DC) contamination induced by TI stimulation can confound the stim effects and the recorded LFP.

This project explores the strategies to eliminate the NAs and DC that occur during TI stimulation and LFP recording, after which the in vivo LFP will be recorded. This project is trying to establish a proof-of-concept that electrophysiological oscillations can be recorded during TI stimulation, which provides a direct and informative way to explore the brain responses to TI stimulation.

Selected publications

Zhu, Xiaoqi, et al. "Multi-point temporal interference stimulation by using each electrode to carry different frequency currents." IEEE Access 7 (2019): 168839-168848.

Contact details

Email: x.zhu19@imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn: xiaoqi-zhu-8982b110b/

How temperature and circadian rhythms intersect to regulate a protein shown to protect against neurodegeneration

A new study led by Dr Marco Brancaccio (UK DRI at Imperial) and Dr Marieke Hoekstra (former UK DRI at Imperial, now VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research) offers a deeper insight into how a neuroprotective pathway is regulated both by temperature and the body clock. This research, published in the journal PNAS, could open up new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative disease. Read more on the UK DRI website

Introducing Cynthia Sandor: Pioneering earlier detection of Parkinson’s

Dr Cynthia Sandor, former Emerging Leader at the UK DRI at Cardiff, joins the UK DRI at Imperial as a Group Leader, where she will be tackling early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

With a background in genetics, Dr Sandor uses computational methods to bring greater understanding to the underlying molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s. Read more about Cynthia's work on the UK DRI website.

Ageing brain fails to control neuronal activity with consequences for cognition

Age-linked cognitive decline findings from our UK DRI Centre

Ageing brain fails to control neuronal activity with consequences for cognition, according to a study led by Dr Sam Barnes and Dr Carola Radulescu. Read more on the UK DRI website.

Ancient DNA reveals reason for high MS and Alzheimer’s rates in Europe

Groundbreaking study of ancient genes provides brand new biological understanding of debilitating disorders

Researchers have created the world’s largest ancient human gene bank by analysing the bones and teeth of almost 5,000 humans who lived across western Europe and Asia up to 34,000 years ago. By sequencing ancient human DNA and comparing it to modern-day samples, the international team of experts mapped the historical spread of genes – and diseases – over time as populations migrated.

Read more on the University of Cambridge website.

Health Minister visits White City to see pioneering dementia research

The Minister for Health and Secondary Care Andrew Stephenson MP visited the UK Dementia Research Institute at White City.

The new Minister for Health and Secondary Care Andrew Stephenson MP visited Imperial's White City Campus yesterday to see the work of the UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre based at the Sir Michael Uren Hub. The Minister was hosted by Professor Deborah Ashby, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute. Read more on the Imperial news website.

New non-invasive form of deep brain stimulation could provide alternative treatment for brain diseases

Cutting-edge work led by Imperial PI Dr Nir Grossman makes national press

Scientists from the UK Dementia Research Institute centre at Imperial College London featured on ITV News and in national newspapers. Read more on the Imperial website and the UK DRI website.

Imperial named UK’s best university

Imperial College London is ranked top of a new league table of UK universities.

Imperial has also been named University of the Year in the league table, published by the Daily Mail, and is praised for its "sustained excellence in all areas” alongside its commitment to social inclusion, including generous bursary support.

Read full article.

The UK Dementia Research Institute is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.