Sri Sarma

Last updated
Sridevi Sarma
Born1972 (age 51–52)
Alma mater Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cornell University
Scientific career
Institutions Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Thesis Finite-rate control : stability and performance  (2006)
Academic advisors Munther A. Dahleh
Emery Brown
Website sarmalab.icm.jhu.edu

Sridevi Sarma (born 1972) is an American biomedical and electrical engineer known for her work in applying control theory to improve therapies for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. She is vice dean for graduate education of the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Computational Medicine, and an associate professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Contents

Early life and education

Sarma did her undergraduate studies at Cornell University where she received a BS in electrical engineering in 1994. She received her SM and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997 and 2006. [1] From 2000 to 2003 she took a leave of absence to start a data analytics company. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Science from 2006 to 2009. [2]

While pursuing her PhD in electrical engineering and computer science, Sarma took a course on neural systems. [3] During this time, she conducted a three-day case study on her aunt, who had early-onset Parkinson’s disease, as part of a class project. She recalled the experience to profoundly affect her, as she observed the impact of Parkinson’s on both her aunt and caretaking uncle. The exposure significantly influenced Sarma's interest in the application of control theory to treatments for neurological disorders. [3]

Research

Sarma joined the Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering as a professor in 2009. [4] She was appointed as associate director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Computational Medicine in 2017, and vice dean of graduate education for the JHU Whiting School of Engineering in 2019. [5] [4] She is best known for her research combining learning theory and control systems with neuroscience to create translational work aimed at improving therapies for neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and epilepsy. [6]

Parkinson's Disease

Sarma’s early work focused on improving therapies for PD, primarily studying the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy as a method of PD treatment. DBS is a rapidly growing treatment used for Parkinson’s disease, but is limited by a single signal type, a single stimulus location, and power efficiency. [7] Sarma’s research team developed the first computational model of the motor network under PD conditions. [8] DBS was previously thought to block abnormal activity seen in PD with continuous, high-frequency signals. Sarma’s research team discovered that, contrary to this prevailing belief, high-frequency DBS restores pathological network dynamics in the brain. [7] [9]

Epilepsy

Sarma’s research into epilepsy centers on the development of advanced computational tools aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy affects over 60 million people worldwide, with approximately 30% of patients unresponsive to AEDs. [8] In these patients, surgery is the standard of care, which involves identifying and removing the brain's epileptogenic zone (EZ) from where seizures originate. However, accurately localizing has proven to be a significant research challenge. Seizure recurrence occurs in 50% of patients due to misidentification of the EZ. [10]

Among Sarma’s most notable contributions is the development of EZTrack, a computational tool designed to accurately identify epileptogenic zones using electroencephalogram (EEG) data. EZTrack has demonstrated substantial improvements in clinical settings, predicting surgical outcomes with 25% greater accuracy than clinicians and achieving a 100% accuracy rate in predicting surgical failures. [11]

Sarma is also investigating control theory techniques to develop faster and more accurate methods for diagnosing epilepsy. Current diagnostic procedures often require at least four routine EEGs, which are both costly and time-consuming, leading to delays in treatment. Additionally, these procedures can result in misdiagnosis, particularly in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and syncope. Sarma's research aims to create effective system modeling techniques that can diagnose epilepsy within minutes of the first EEG recording. [10]

Sarma is additionally researching methods to measure the efficacy of the Responsive NeuroStimulation (RNS) system. RNS is an implantable device that electrically stimulates the brain to prevent seizures. Although RNS has been effective in reducing seizures in 50% of patients, its success depends on accurately localizing the EZ and optimizing stimulation patterns. Beyond enhanced EZ localization through EZTrack, Sarma's lab is developing methods to predict a patient’s responsiveness to RNS treatment prior to the device's implantation and to continue measuring the efficacy of RNS treatment after implantation. [10]

Chronic Pain

Sarma’s lab is also developing an adaptive, model-based closed-loop peripheral nerve stimulation method for the restoration of the dysfunctional pain system back to a healthy state. Chronic pain can result from nerve and tissue injuries and has a prevalence of 11.2% in the US. Prior research into neuromodulation techniques has been limited to open-loop control systems that lack feedback response and closed-loop systems that block essential pain signals. Sarma’s lab is exploring an approach to suppress chronic pain while allowing short-lasting protective acute pain to be transmitted to the brain to be perceived. She is currently developing computational models of the spinal cord's dorsal horn (DH) circuit to predict how various electrical stimulation treatments alter neuronal activity. [8] [12]

Presentations

Sarma serves on the International Workshop Statistical Analysis of Neuronal Data Committee, has served as associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation, and was the editor of a 2017 special issue of the Journal of Computational Neuroscience. [8]

Sarma has also appeared as a domain expert on several episodes of the National Geographic TV series, Brain Games. [13]

Entrepreneurship

Sarma serves as President and CEO of Neurologic Solutions, where she is commercializing her work on EZTrack and developing further EEG Analytics tools for epilepsy. [14] In addition to EZTrack, she is also developing EpiScalp, a software analytics tool providing a risk score to diagnose new seizure onset cases. [15]

Sarma is also the executive director of Neurotech Harbor, a technology accelerator focused on advancing the development of medical devices that diagnose, treat, and manage neurological disorders. The accelerator selects high-risk, high-potential projects addressing neurological conditions, and specifically targets equitable and accessible technology solutions. [16] The initiative is part of the National Institutes of Health’s Blueprint MedTech: Incubator Hubs program, and was founded as a partnership between Johns Hopkins University and Howard University. [17]

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep brain stimulation</span> Neurosurgical treatment

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure that implants a neurostimulator and electrodes which sends electrical impulses to specified targets in the brain responsible for movement control. The treatment is designed for a range of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, as well as for certain neuropsychiatric conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and epilepsy. The exact mechanisms of DBS are complex and not entirely clear, but it is known to modify brain activity in a structured way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myoclonus</span> Involuntary, irregular muscle twitch

Myoclonus is a brief, involuntary, irregular twitching of a muscle, a joint, or a group of muscles, different from clonus, which is rhythmic or regular. Myoclonus describes a medical sign and, generally, is not a diagnosis of a disease. It belongs to the hyperkinetic movement disorders, among tremor and chorea for example. These myoclonic twitches, jerks, or seizures are usually caused by sudden muscle contractions or brief lapses of contraction. The most common circumstance under which they occur is while falling asleep. Myoclonic jerks occur in healthy people and are experienced occasionally by everyone. However, when they appear with more persistence and become more widespread they can be a sign of various neurological disorders. Hiccups are a kind of myoclonic jerk specifically affecting the diaphragm. When a spasm is caused by another person it is known as a provoked spasm. Shuddering attacks in babies fall in this category.

Neurotechnology encompasses any method or electronic device which interfaces with the nervous system to monitor or modulate neural activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagus nerve stimulation</span> Medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. It is used as an add-on treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy, cluster headaches, treatment-resistant depression and stroke rehabilitation.

Neural engineering is a discipline within biomedical engineering that uses engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, or enhance neural systems. Neural engineers are uniquely qualified to solve design problems at the interface of living neural tissue and non-living constructs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporal lobe epilepsy</span> Chronic focal seizure disorder

In the field of neurology, temporal lobe epilepsy is an enduring brain disorder that causes unprovoked seizures from the temporal lobe. Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common type of focal onset epilepsy among adults. Seizure symptoms and behavior distinguish seizures arising from the medial temporal lobe from seizures arising from the lateral (neocortical) temporal lobe. Memory and psychiatric comorbidities may occur. Diagnosis relies on electroencephalographic (EEG) and neuroimaging studies. Anticonvulsant medications, epilepsy surgery and dietary treatments may improve seizure control.

Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by brief, recurring seizures arising in the frontal lobes of the brain, that often occur during sleep. It is the second most common type of epilepsy after temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and is related to the temporal form in that both forms are characterized by partial (focal) seizures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuroimaging</span> Set of techniques to measure and visualize aspects of the nervous system

Neuroimaging is the use of quantitative (computational) techniques to study the structure and function of the central nervous system, developed as an objective way of scientifically studying the healthy human brain in a non-invasive manner. Increasingly it is also being used for quantitative research studies of brain disease and psychiatric illness. Neuroimaging is highly multidisciplinary involving neuroscience, computer science, psychology and statistics, and is not a medical specialty. Neuroimaging is sometimes confused with neuroradiology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrocorticography</span> Type of electrophysiological monitoring

Electrocorticography (ECoG), a type of intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG), is a type of electrophysiological monitoring that uses electrodes placed directly on the exposed surface of the brain to record electrical activity from the cerebral cortex. In contrast, conventional electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes monitor this activity from outside the skull. ECoG may be performed either in the operating room during surgery or outside of surgery. Because a craniotomy is required to implant the electrode grid, ECoG is an invasive procedure.

Epilepsy surgery involves a neurosurgical procedure where an area of the brain involved in seizures is either resected, ablated, disconnected or stimulated. The goal is to eliminate seizures or significantly reduce seizure burden. Approximately 60% of all people with epilepsy have focal epilepsy syndromes. In 15% to 20% of these patients, the condition is not adequately controlled with anticonvulsive drugs. Such patients are potential candidates for surgical epilepsy treatment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Responsive neurostimulation device</span> Category of medical devices that respond to signals in a patients body to treat disease

Responsive neurostimulation device is a medical device that senses changes in a person's body and uses neurostimulation to respond in the treatment of disease. The FDA has approved devices for use in the United States in the treatment of epileptic seizures and chronic pain conditions. Devices are being studied for use in the treatment of essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, Tourette's syndrome, depression, obesity, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ablative brain surgery is the surgical ablation by various methods of brain tissue to treat neurological or psychological disorders. The word "Ablation" stems from the Latin word Ablatus meaning "carried away". In most cases, however, ablative brain surgery does not involve removing brain tissue, but rather destroying tissue and leaving it in place. The lesions it causes are irreversible. There are some target nuclei for ablative surgery and deep brain stimulation. Those nuclei are the motor thalamus, the globus pallidus, and the subthalamic nucleus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrical brain stimulation</span> Form of electrotherapy

Electrical brain stimulation (EBS), also referred to as focal brain stimulation (FBS), is a form of electrotherapy used as a technique in research and clinical neurobiology to stimulate a neuron or neural network in the brain through the direct or indirect excitation of its cell membrane by using an electric current. EBS is used for research or for therapeutic purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epilepsy in children</span>

Epilepsy is a neurological condition of recurrent episodes of unprovoked epileptic seizures. A seizure is an abnormal neuronal brain activity that can cause intellectual, emotional, and social consequences. Epilepsy affects children and adults of all ages and races, and is one of the most common neurological disorders of the nervous system. Epilepsy is more common among children than adults, affecting about 6 out of 1000 US children that are between the age of 0 to 5 years old. The epileptic seizures can be of different types depending on the part of the brain that was affected, seizures are classified in 2 main types partial seizure or generalized seizure.

David Charles is an American neurologist, professor and vice-chair of neurology, and the medical director of Telehealth at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Neuromodulation is "the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body". It is carried out to normalize – or modulate – nervous tissue function. Neuromodulation is an evolving therapy that can involve a range of electromagnetic stimuli such as a magnetic field (rTMS), an electric current, or a drug instilled directly in the subdural space. Emerging applications involve targeted introduction of genes or gene regulators and light (optogenetics), and by 2014, these had been at minimum demonstrated in mammalian models, or first-in-human data had been acquired. The most clinical experience has been with electrical stimulation.

A neonatal seizure is a seizure in a baby younger than age 4-weeks that is identifiable by an electrical recording of the brain. It is an occurrence of abnormal, paroxysmal, and persistent ictal rhythm with an amplitude of 2 microvolts in the electroencephalogram,. These may be manifested in form of stiffening or jerking of limbs or trunk. Sometimes random eye movements, cycling movements of legs, tonic eyeball movements, and lip-smacking movements may be observed. Alteration in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, salivation, pupillary dilation, and other associated paroxysmal changes in the autonomic nervous system of infants may be caused due to these seizures. Often these changes are observed along with the observance of other clinical symptoms. A neonatal seizure may or may not be epileptic. Some of them may be provoked. Most neonatal seizures are due to secondary causes. With hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy being the most common cause in full term infants and intraventricular hemorrhage as the most common cause in preterm infants.

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), also known as refractory epilepsy, intractable epilepsy, or pharmacoresistant epilepsy, is diagnosed following a failure of adequate trials of two tolerated and appropriately chosen and used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to achieve sustained seizure freedom. The probability that the next medication will achieve seizure freedom drops with every failed AED. For example, after two failed AEDs, the probability that the third will achieve seizure freedom is around 4%. Drug-resistant epilepsy is commonly diagnosed after several years of uncontrolled seizures, however, in most cases, it is evident much earlier. Approximately 30% of people with epilepsy have a drug-resistant form.

Hal Blumenfeld is a professor of neurology, neuroscience, and neurosurgery at Yale University. His focus is on brain mechanisms of consciousness and on altered consciousness in epilepsy. As director of the Yale Clinical Neuroscience Imaging Center, he leads multi-disciplinary research and is also well known for his teaching contributions in neuroanatomy and clinical neuroscience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation</span> Neurosurgical treatment involving implantation of an adaptive neurostimularot

Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS), also known as Closed Loop Deep Brain stimulation (clDBS), is a neuro-modulatory technique currently under investigation for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

References

  1. ↑ "Sridevi Sarma, MIT PhD '06 | MIT EECS". www.eecs.mit.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  2. ↑ "Sridevi V. Sarma, Ph.D., S.M., Joint Appointment in Neurology". Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  3. 1 2 "LIDS/ALL 2013". lidsmag.lids.mit.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  4. 1 2 "Sridevi Sarma Named WSE's Vice Dean for Graduate Education". Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  5. ↑ "BME's Sridevi Sarma Appointed Associate Director of Institute for Computational Medicine". Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  6. ↑ "Sri Sarma | World Science Festival". World Science Festival. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  7. 1 2 "Parkinson's Disease – Johns Hopkins – Sarma Lab" . Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sridevi Sarma". Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  9. ↑ Santaniello, Sabato; McCarthy, Michelle M.; Montgomery, Erwin B.; Gale, John T.; Kopell, Nancy; Sarma, Sridevi V. (2015-02-10). "Therapeutic mechanisms of high-frequency stimulation in Parkinson's disease and neural restoration via loop-based reinforcement". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 112 (6): E586–E595. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1406549111 . ISSN   0027-8424. PMC   4330724 . PMID   25624501.
  10. 1 2 3 "Epilepsy – Johns Hopkins – Sarma Lab" . Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  11. ↑ "EZTrack – Neurologic Solutions Inc" . Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  12. ↑ "Chronic Pain – Johns Hopkins – Sarma Lab" . Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  13. ↑ Brain Games DIY: The Cup and Knife Game, archived from the original on March 17, 2015, retrieved 2017-11-03
  14. ↑ "About – Neurologic Solutions Inc" . Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  15. ↑ "EpiScalp – Neurologic Solutions Inc" . Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  16. ↑ "JH – Howard – NeuroTech Harbor" . Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  17. ↑ Rosen, Jill (2022-09-27). "Johns Hopkins, Howard University partner to develop tech for neuro disorders". The Hub. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  18. ↑ "Changing the Face of STEM". L'Oréal. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  19. ↑ "JHU – Institute for Computational Medicine | Sri Sarma recipient of CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation". icm.jhu.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  20. 1 2 "Sridevi Sarma" . Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  21. ↑ "Sri Sarma receives NIH Outstanding Investigator Award". Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
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