Research Focus
With the goal of progressing knowledge on brain disorders and evidence-based psychiatric therapies, the Clinical Brain Networks Group focuses on understanding how the structural and functional wiring of the brain underpin health and pathology.
The laboratory uses a variety of neuroimaging, brain stimulation, and computational techniques and operates one of the first transcranial focussed ultrasound stimulation facilities in Australia.
We work closely with a not-for-profit brain stimulation clinic, the Queensland Neurostimulation Centre to rapidly translate our scientific insights into effective new treatments for refractory mental disorders.
Our research is supported by philanthropic and government bodies including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Modulating Brain Network Activity in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder using Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Personalised Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Databank
Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Past Research Projects
Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation of the rostromedial prefrontal cortex in obsessive–compulsive disorder: a randomized clinical trial (ACTRN12616001687482)
Research Team
Dr Bjorn Burgher
Lachlan Hamilton
Conor Robinson
Carina Forster
Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Australian Research Council
- Philanthropic gifts
Publications
COCCHI L., [18 authors from 5 institutions], Breakspear M. (2023). Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation of the rostromedial prefrontal cortex in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized clinical trial. NATURE MENTAL HEALTH 1, 555–563.
Naze S., [13 authors from 3 institutions], COCCHI, L. (2023). Mechanisms of imbalanced frontostriatal connectivity in obsessive-compulsive disorder. BRAIN 19, 1322-1327. PMID: 36380526
Iyer, K.K., Hwang, K., Hearne, L.J., Muller, E., D'Esposito, M., Shine, J.M., COCCHI, L. (2022). Focal neural perturbations reshape low-dimensional trajectories of brain activity supporting cognitive performance. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS 13, 4. PMID: 35013147
Further Information
- Professor Andrew Zalesky, Systems Neuropsychiatry Group, University of Melbourne
- Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Director, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology; Senior Staff Specialist, Canberra Health Services.
- Professor Michael Breakspear, Systems Neuroscience Group, University of Newcastle
- Professor Martijn van den Heuvel, Faculty of Science, Complex Traits Genetics, CNCR, VU Amsterdam.
- Dr Thomas Yeo, Computational Brain Imaging Group; Deputy Director, Centre for Translational MRI Research, University of Singapore
- Dr Robin Cash, University of Melbourne
- Dr Anton Tokariev & Professor Sampsa Vanhatalo, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Dr Cameron Higgins, University of Oxford, Resonait Medical Technologies
