Dr. Etienne De Villers Sidani

Biography

Etienne De Villers-Sidani is a neurologist specializing in cognitive disorders. His particular interest lies in understanding the role sensory experience plays in brain plasticity and the emergence of remediation for cognitive impairments. His laboratory employs electrophysiological techniques to determine how sounds and auditory training can shape cortical circuits to alter the perception of sounds, as well as influence memory and decision-making processes. The main goal of his research is to develop novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving cognitive function in patients suffering from conditions related to abnormal sensory-motor processing, such as dementia, age-related cognitive decline, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. He is focused on designing new evidence-based approaches for cognitive rehabilitation while gaining a greater understanding of the basic mechanisms regulating brain plasticity. His experiments aim to determine the impact of age on the flexibility of brain circuits involved in sensory processing, delving into the complex interplay between the physical structure of brain circuits and neuronal electrical activity, which is tightly linked to sensory experience and behavior.

Research Interests