David Seminowicz
@daspainbrain.bsky.social
Brain imaging pain researcher.
Professor, Medical Biophysics at University of Western Ontario.
https://www.daslab.org/
https://www.knowpain.ca/
Professor, Medical Biophysics at University of Western Ontario.
https://www.daslab.org/
https://www.knowpain.ca/
Pinned
Predicting Individual Pain Sensitivity Using a Novel Cortical Biomarker Signature
This cohort study analyzes electroencephalography data from healthy participants to analyze and validate a cortical biomarker signature for pain, which comprised the measures sensorimotor peak alpha f...
jamanetwork.com
our NIH HEAL initiative funded biomarkers study now out @jama.com JAMA Neurology
open access, open data and code
w/ @drsmschabrun.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
open access, open data and code
w/ @drsmschabrun.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by David Seminowicz
EEG requires many neurons aligned so that their electric fields can positively sum to spread up to the scalp. I made a browser-based simulator for my EEG class to visualize how "open fields" contribute to EEG recordings.
dbrang.github.io/Open-Closed-...
Github: github.com/dbrang/Open-...
dbrang.github.io/Open-Closed-...
Github: github.com/dbrang/Open-...
January 26, 2026 at 2:11 PM
EEG requires many neurons aligned so that their electric fields can positively sum to spread up to the scalp. I made a browser-based simulator for my EEG class to visualize how "open fields" contribute to EEG recordings.
dbrang.github.io/Open-Closed-...
Github: github.com/dbrang/Open-...
dbrang.github.io/Open-Closed-...
Github: github.com/dbrang/Open-...
happening today
Have you registered for tomorrow’s #PRF #journalclub discussing Zhang et al. in @natureneuro.nature.com? This is the first in a series of monthly #PRF journal clubs, so do not miss out! Register now - bit.ly/4b1UCYy
January 21, 2026 at 2:50 PM
happening today
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Our latest preprint. More evidence that diabetic neuropathy is a neuro degenerative disease. Very proud of @ish1789.bsky.social and our whole PRECISION group who made this work possible. #HEALinitiative funded
Progressive neurodegeneration in human dorsal root ganglion from diabetes to painful neuropathy https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.16.700028v1
January 21, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Our latest preprint. More evidence that diabetic neuropathy is a neuro degenerative disease. Very proud of @ish1789.bsky.social and our whole PRECISION group who made this work possible. #HEALinitiative funded
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Anterior cingulate cortex activation of claustrum projection neuron subtypes is enhanced by alcohol https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700421v1
January 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Anterior cingulate cortex activation of claustrum projection neuron subtypes is enhanced by alcohol https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700421v1
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Excited to give the Feindel Lecture at The Neuro on Monday 26th Jan in Montreal. Streamed and recorded too. Come hear about our new SASS MRI technique just out in print in @natmethods.nature.com
@westernuwin.bsky.social @theneuro.bsky.social
@westernuwin.bsky.social @theneuro.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Excited to give the Feindel Lecture at The Neuro on Monday 26th Jan in Montreal. Streamed and recorded too. Come hear about our new SASS MRI technique just out in print in @natmethods.nature.com
@westernuwin.bsky.social @theneuro.bsky.social
@westernuwin.bsky.social @theneuro.bsky.social
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Interpreting EEG requires understanding how the skull smears electrical fields as they propagate from the cortex. I made a browser-based simulator for my EEG class to visualize how dipole depth/orientation change the topomap.
dbrang.github.io/EEG-Dipole-D...
Github page: github.com/dbrang/EEG-D...
dbrang.github.io/EEG-Dipole-D...
Github page: github.com/dbrang/EEG-D...
January 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Interpreting EEG requires understanding how the skull smears electrical fields as they propagate from the cortex. I made a browser-based simulator for my EEG class to visualize how dipole depth/orientation change the topomap.
dbrang.github.io/EEG-Dipole-D...
Github page: github.com/dbrang/EEG-D...
dbrang.github.io/EEG-Dipole-D...
Github page: github.com/dbrang/EEG-D...
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Happy 92nd Birthday to the father of BOLD fMRI, Seiji Ogawa.
January 19, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Happy 92nd Birthday to the father of BOLD fMRI, Seiji Ogawa.
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Opportunity to move to Canada. 🍁 The Lifespan Institute @brocku.ca is looking to hire a Canada Excellence Research Chair In Healthy Development Across the Lifespan. More info in the job ad (salary negotiable).
brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_caree....
brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_caree....
Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Healthy Development Across the Lifespan at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, Tenured
This position is part of the BUFA (Employee Group) Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here to...
brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Opportunity to move to Canada. 🍁 The Lifespan Institute @brocku.ca is looking to hire a Canada Excellence Research Chair In Healthy Development Across the Lifespan. More info in the job ad (salary negotiable).
brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_caree....
brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_caree....
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Let me summarize this study in an analogy.
I took pictures of some humans, and they all look more similar to each other than to random objects. Then I took pictures of synthetic humans, and they look even more similar. Thus, photography is invalid for detecting differences between human faces.
I took pictures of some humans, and they all look more similar to each other than to random objects. Then I took pictures of synthetic humans, and they look even more similar. Thus, photography is invalid for detecting differences between human faces.
Are connectome-based network mapping methods and the >200 papers that have used it invalid?
New paper out in
@NatureNeuro
says YES. nature.com/articles/s41...
I have concerns about this new paper's methods and conclusions, but am biased. What do others think?
New paper out in
@NatureNeuro
says YES. nature.com/articles/s41...
I have concerns about this new paper's methods and conclusions, but am biased. What do others think?
Investigating the methodological foundation of lesion network mapping - Nature Neuroscience
The lesion network mapping method links diverse brain lesions to similar functional brain networks, reflecting general brain organization rather than disorder-specific circuits.
nature.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Let me summarize this study in an analogy.
I took pictures of some humans, and they all look more similar to each other than to random objects. Then I took pictures of synthetic humans, and they look even more similar. Thus, photography is invalid for detecting differences between human faces.
I took pictures of some humans, and they all look more similar to each other than to random objects. Then I took pictures of synthetic humans, and they look even more similar. Thus, photography is invalid for detecting differences between human faces.
Reposted by David Seminowicz
In this paper they created "synthetic" lesions using parcellations of resting-state networks, and then showed that they look like resting-state networks. Big whoop. They had access to real lesions and didn't use them?? Seems more likely that they tried it with real lesions and didn't report it.
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 AM
In this paper they created "synthetic" lesions using parcellations of resting-state networks, and then showed that they look like resting-state networks. Big whoop. They had access to real lesions and didn't use them?? Seems more likely that they tried it with real lesions and didn't report it.
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Temporal Patterns of Brain Network Plasticity During the Onset and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain in Male Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.15.699728v1
January 16, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Temporal Patterns of Brain Network Plasticity During the Onset and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain in Male Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.15.699728v1
Reposted by David Seminowicz
It won't actually exist for another month or so, but because it now 'exists' on amazon, I'll humbly observe that, after working through this book, your student/trainee would be able to read and understand all but two or three papers in this week's J. Neurosci. Check it out:
January 16, 2026 at 10:38 PM
It won't actually exist for another month or so, but because it now 'exists' on amazon, I'll humbly observe that, after working through this book, your student/trainee would be able to read and understand all but two or three papers in this week's J. Neurosci. Check it out:
Reposted by David Seminowicz
main goal for this year: find a new job! 🙂
looking for a role with fun & complex technical challenges & within a great community. my main expertise is in signal processing/EEG/MEG, but topic-wise I am quite flexible.
science/industry both great! starting mid-year. nschawor.github.io/cv
looking for a role with fun & complex technical challenges & within a great community. my main expertise is in signal processing/EEG/MEG, but topic-wise I am quite flexible.
science/industry both great! starting mid-year. nschawor.github.io/cv
January 16, 2026 at 10:14 AM
main goal for this year: find a new job! 🙂
looking for a role with fun & complex technical challenges & within a great community. my main expertise is in signal processing/EEG/MEG, but topic-wise I am quite flexible.
science/industry both great! starting mid-year. nschawor.github.io/cv
looking for a role with fun & complex technical challenges & within a great community. my main expertise is in signal processing/EEG/MEG, but topic-wise I am quite flexible.
science/industry both great! starting mid-year. nschawor.github.io/cv
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Yes, at Western’s Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping @cfmm.bsky.social , we have a lot of Tesla (34.6 T to be exact), but the most important equipment where the best ideas come from is a bit cheaper.
January 16, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Yes, at Western’s Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping @cfmm.bsky.social , we have a lot of Tesla (34.6 T to be exact), but the most important equipment where the best ideas come from is a bit cheaper.
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Have you seen Mørch et al.’s new sodium channel excitability nociceptor test, which can identify alterations in select subtypes of small fiber sodium channels of awake subjects? Check out Allan Basbaum’s #EditorsPick featured in @painthejournal.bsky.social bit.ly/4pylVNF #PRF
January 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Have you seen Mørch et al.’s new sodium channel excitability nociceptor test, which can identify alterations in select subtypes of small fiber sodium channels of awake subjects? Check out Allan Basbaum’s #EditorsPick featured in @painthejournal.bsky.social bit.ly/4pylVNF #PRF
Reposted by David Seminowicz
And the Oscar goes to…
We can neither confirm nor deny the existence of big pain relief news next week.
January 15, 2026 at 10:51 PM
And the Oscar goes to…
Reposted by David Seminowicz
The Pain Research Forum is launching a new monthly Webinar Series. The first event is this Wednesday Jan 14th, 2026 at 12 PM ET. Register using the QR code or visit painresearchforum.org @usasp.bsky.social @dimacd.bsky.social @psalmotoxin.bsky.social @iasp.bsky.social @dimacd.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The Pain Research Forum is launching a new monthly Webinar Series. The first event is this Wednesday Jan 14th, 2026 at 12 PM ET. Register using the QR code or visit painresearchforum.org @usasp.bsky.social @dimacd.bsky.social @psalmotoxin.bsky.social @iasp.bsky.social @dimacd.bsky.social
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Exciting new preprint on oxytocin neural circuits for massage led by Manon Bohic in Vicky Abraira’s lab. Sasha and I were glad to contribute imaging experiments to this collaborative effort, spanning mice to humans. Vicky is a master at bringing people together.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Oxytocin Modulation of Spinal Circuits Drives Therapeutic Benefits of Massage
Across social species, social touch enhances well-being and reduces pain - two seemingly distinct benefits that enhance survival. Yet where and how the nervous system integrates these functions, and w...
www.biorxiv.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Exciting new preprint on oxytocin neural circuits for massage led by Manon Bohic in Vicky Abraira’s lab. Sasha and I were glad to contribute imaging experiments to this collaborative effort, spanning mice to humans. Vicky is a master at bringing people together.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by David Seminowicz
New results! Faster parietal alpha frequency tightens, and slower alpha widens, the temporal window for vision–touch integration for the sense of one’s own body. Causal and computational evidence. Nature Communications
news.ki.se/how-brain-wa...
news.ki.se/how-brain-wa...
How brain waves shape our sense of self
A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications, reveals how rhythmic brain waves known as alpha oscillations help us distinguish between our own body and the external world...
news.ki.se
January 12, 2026 at 2:17 PM
New results! Faster parietal alpha frequency tightens, and slower alpha widens, the temporal window for vision–touch integration for the sense of one’s own body. Causal and computational evidence. Nature Communications
news.ki.se/how-brain-wa...
news.ki.se/how-brain-wa...
so much cool new stuff in here - LUPE, AMPS, p-lick...
🤯
🤯
🧠⚡️💊New @nature.com publication !
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Researchers identify the neurons involved in the emotional distress associated with pain
go.nature.com/4qIKkB8
go.nature.com/4qIKkB8
January 8, 2026 at 6:49 PM
so much cool new stuff in here - LUPE, AMPS, p-lick...
🤯
🤯
what an achievement! this dataset is going to support some massive new discoveries in pain
2,285! Recruitment is complete on the A2CPS study, and 2,285 participants who have generously donating their time, energy and blood samples to this study. Our team has also performed over 3,000 brain imaging sessions! Learn more about how YOU can use the data in your studies. a2cps.org
Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures Home
a2cps.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:39 PM
what an achievement! this dataset is going to support some massive new discoveries in pain
Reposted by David Seminowicz
This recent article published in Good Times highlights emerging research in chronic pain and features an interview from kNOw-PAIN Co-Director Dr. David Seminowicz (@daspainbrain.bsky.social)! goodtimes.ca/hope-for-chr...
Hope for Chronic-Pain Sufferers - Good Times
Over the past few years, medical science has been making new discoveries in addressing the problem of pain By Wendy Haaf Anyone who’s ever sprained an ankle or pulled a muscle knows what it’s like to ...
goodtimes.ca
January 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
This recent article published in Good Times highlights emerging research in chronic pain and features an interview from kNOw-PAIN Co-Director Dr. David Seminowicz (@daspainbrain.bsky.social)! goodtimes.ca/hope-for-chr...
Modulation of Peak Alpha Frequency via Neurofeedback Produces Sustained Analgesia Through Parietal Plasticity
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Modulation of Peak Alpha Frequency via Neurofeedback Produces Sustained Analgesia Through Parietal Plasticity
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Reminder that this job is open! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Deadline is February 20th.
Great news! We are looking for an NHP neuroscientist as the assistant professor level. We have no preconceived ideas -- looking for the most exciting research going. If you have any questions, please reach out. universityaffairs.ca/search-jobs/...
Search Jobs - University Affairs
universityaffairs.ca
January 6, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Reminder that this job is open! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Deadline is February 20th.
Reposted by David Seminowicz
Our new paper is out in Communications Biology!
🎬 We used movie-driven fMRI to compare functional brain networks in humans and marmosets.
Despite ~35 million years of evolution, we find striking correspondences in large-scale functional organization.
🧠🎥🐒
rdcu.be/eXIhw
🎬 We used movie-driven fMRI to compare functional brain networks in humans and marmosets.
Despite ~35 million years of evolution, we find striking correspondences in large-scale functional organization.
🧠🎥🐒
rdcu.be/eXIhw
Mapping functional homologies between human and marmoset brain networks using movie-driven ultra-high field fMRI
Communications Biology - Movie-driven fMRI revealed shared sensory but distinct higher-order brain networks in humans and marmosets, highlighting both conserved and species-specific functional...
rdcu.be
January 6, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Our new paper is out in Communications Biology!
🎬 We used movie-driven fMRI to compare functional brain networks in humans and marmosets.
Despite ~35 million years of evolution, we find striking correspondences in large-scale functional organization.
🧠🎥🐒
rdcu.be/eXIhw
🎬 We used movie-driven fMRI to compare functional brain networks in humans and marmosets.
Despite ~35 million years of evolution, we find striking correspondences in large-scale functional organization.
🧠🎥🐒
rdcu.be/eXIhw