CDP Grenoble-Neurotech | Grenoble Neurotech - Université Grenoble Alpes

Located in the heart of the mountains, Grenoble has established itself in the recent years as a central hub for research and innovation. Through its numerous commitments to large-scale projects raising questions of the present-day world, Grenoble is today one of the pillars of scientific research in France.

The Grenoble-Neurotech project is a Cross-Disciplinary Program (CDP) that aims to develop neurotechnologies for functional rehabilitation. The project also explores neurofeedback approaches for psychiatric disorders. A tight collaboration with philosophers accompany these scientific developments to reflect on the ethical implications of neurotechnologies.

What is a Cross-Disciplinary Program (CDP) ?

Launched in 2016 as part of the Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) Initiative of Excellence (IDEX), Cross-disciplinary Programs (CDPs) are ambitious cutting-edge research projects built at the confluence of several disciplines to advance science, innovation and provide answers to the major challenges of the 21st century. These projects, which are resolutely interdisciplinary, give pride of place to human, political and social sciences, with a strong commitment from the scientific community of the SHS (Human and social sciences) and PSS (Social Sciences department) clusters. Here again, CDPs allow the UGA to become a leader in interdisciplinary themes such as the links between beauty and health, research-creation, heritage science and environmental modeling.

The Grenoble-Neurotech project

The Grenoble-Neurotech project is one of the 21 CDPs which aims to develop neuroprostheses allowing paralyzed people to compensate - at least partially - for the loss of motor functions such as the control of their upper limbs or speech. It combines new implantable neural interfacing solutions with methods and tools for real-time processing of neural signals. The project also explores how these rehabilitation strategies can be extended to closed-loop therapeutic approaches in certain disabling psychiatric diseases such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. This research is conducted in conjunction with a reflection on the ethical and societal implications of these neurotechnological developments.