Bachelor Projects
Investigating the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on fNIRS-Based Brain Imaging
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is increasingly used as a portable, non-invasive brain imaging technique in both research and clinical settings. Despite its growing popularity, a persistent methodological issue across neuroimaging modalities is the underrepresentation or exclusion of women, justified by concerns that hormonal or physiological fluctuations across the menstrual cycle may bias brain imaging measures. Consequently, many studies either exclude women entirely or fail to report menstrual cycle–related variables, limiting the generalizability, reproducibility, and interpretability of findings. While menstrual cycle effects have been explored to some extent in other imaging modalities, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it remains largely unknown whether and how physiological and hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle influence fNIRS-derived hemodynamic signals, impacting data interpretation, study design, and reproducibility. We are offering a research internship / semester project / Master’s thesis focused on (i) reviewing the current state of the art on menstrual cycle effects in brain imaging, (ii) critically evaluating their implications for fNIRS, and (iii) designing and piloting an experimental protocol to better understand the influence of the menstrual cycle on fNIRS data. The project will be co-supervised by two PhD students with expertise in fNIRS signal processing and its application in neurorehabilitation research.
Keywords
functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS, menstrual cycle, brain imaging, bibliographic research, pilot study
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
PLEASE LOG IN TO SEE DESCRIPTION
More information
Published since: 2025-12-17 , Earliest start: 2026-02-01 , Latest end: 2026-10-01
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Perrin Cléo
Topics Medical and Health Sciences
Mechanistic Evaluation of taVNS in Motor Adaptation for Stroke Rehabilitation
This study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) may facilitate motor learning and adaptation, focusing on reticulospinal tract (RST) activation. A set of assessments will be used to build a comprehensive neurophysiological profile, providing insights relevant to developing taVNS-based clinical interventions. In this role, you will engage in study design, data collection, and analysis, gaining hands-on experience in mechanistic neurophysiological research with direct clinical applications.
Keywords
Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) Reticulospinal tract (RST) Motor learning StartReact paradigm Stroke rehabilitation Neurophysiology Multisite EMG Motor pathway activation Clinical neurostimulation
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
PLEASE LOG IN TO SEE DESCRIPTION
More information
Published since: 2025-08-04 , Earliest start: 2024-11-24 , Latest end: 2025-10-26
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Development of Regulatory Documentation for a Novel Neurorehabilitation Device: Preparation for FDA and Swissmedic Compliance
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, affecting millions annually and necessitating innovative approaches to rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (RELab) at ETH Zurich is developing a novel closed-loop neurorehabilitation device that integrates real-time motion tracking with non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance neural plasticity and promote motor recovery in stroke patients. To advance this technology toward clinical trials, comprehensive regulatory documentation is essential to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Swissmedic. This project focuses on preparing an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for the FDA and supporting documentation for Swissmedic compliance, including technical descriptions, risk analyses, and clinical study protocols. The student will conduct literature reviews, draft regulatory documents, and support risk management in accordance with ISO 14971, contributing to the device’s regulatory pathway. This work offers a unique opportunity to gain expertise in medical device regulation, bridging biomedical engineering and neuroscience, and advancing a transformative solution for stroke rehabilitation.
Keywords
regulatory affairs, medical device, non-invasive brain stimulation, FDA, Swissmedic, investigational device exemption, IDE, stroke rehabilitation, compliance
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
PLEASE LOG IN TO SEE DESCRIPTION
More information
Published since: 2025-12-11 , Earliest start: 2026-01-01 , Latest end: 2026-10-01
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Donegan Dane , Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology