Experimental
Neuroscience
Careful observation of biological, environmental, and sensory signals.
Imamura
NeuroSpace Lab
From neuroscience
to human-centered AI.
Exploring how artificial intelligence can extend the way scientists observe, understand, hypothesize, and design—across neuroscience, architecture, and translational medicine.
Yukio Imamura, Ph.D.Neuroscientist / Founder
Explore our
direction ↓
direction ↓
NEUROSCIENCE × ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ×
ARCHITECTURE × MEDICINE
SCROLL TO EXPLORE
01 — VISION 2030
Science advances through
better ways of seeing.
For decades, scientific work has been shaped by the careful practice of observing, measuring, and interpreting complex phenomena. The next era should preserve that human judgment—and give it new reach.
We see AI not as a replacement for researchers, but as a considered collaborator: supporting the connection of evidence, the formation of questions, and the translation of insight into meaningful design.
Our vision in motion ↘Experimental
→
Neuroscience ×
Artificial Intelligence
New methods for integrating complex research landscapes.
→
AI-Assisted
Science
Human-led inquiry, extended through responsible intelligence.
THE RESEARCH ACT
Human-centered AI is designed to enhance—not automate away—the meaningful moments of scientific work.
01
Observe
Attend to phenomena with curiosity and care.
02
Measure
Generate reliable signals from complex systems.
03
Understand
Build context from evidence, experience, and uncertainty.
04
Hypothesize
Form questions that can move research forward.
05
AI-assist
Connect information and surface new paths for inquiry.
06
Design
Shape testable, human-centered possibilities.
07
Translate
Carry insight toward the realities of the world.
02 — ABOUT
YUKIO IMAMURA, PH.D.
RESEARCH
STORY
STORY
Neuroscientist
Founder, Imamura NeuroSpace Lab
Long-term questions.
New instruments of thought.
For more than two decades, my research has explored how the brain responds to biological, environmental, and sensory signals. Today, that work is expanding toward a new question: how can AI extend the way scientists observe, hypothesize, integrate, and design?
Imamura NeuroSpace Lab is an independent research and innovation activity. It is a space for connecting established neuroscience with the possibilities of AI-assisted science—carefully, openly, and with human purpose at its center.
Research ProfileView on researchmap ↗Biography
Yukio Imamura, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and founder of Imamura NeuroSpace Lab. His research activity extends across more than two decades, spanning experimental neuroscience, electrophysiology, biomedical imaging, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and translational biomedical research.
His work has also examined sepsis-associated encephalopathy, near-infrared spectroscopy and fNIRS, and human responses to environments and sensory signals. A doctoral degree was received from Kyoto University.
Research experience has included Kyoto University, Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, Ottawa Health Research Institute, research activities related to Okinawa research institutions, RIKEN, Doshisha University, Osaka University Hospital, and Kansai Medical University. Current and recent academic records include affiliations with Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering and Kansai Medical University.
Research experience
Experimental Neuroscience
Neural function, electrophysiology, extracellular environment, and biomedical research.
Translational & Biomedical Neuroscience
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy, neuroinflammation, biomedical imaging, and non-invasive therapeutic approaches.
Human & Environmental Neuroscience
Brain activity, sensory environments, aging, NIRS/fNIRS, and human-centered spatial research.
AI-assisted Research
Connecting neuroscience, biomedical evidence, architecture, and artificial intelligence.
Teaching, awards & activities
2024 — 42nd Katano Award, Kansai Medical University
Recognizing exploratory research toward active therapeutic intervention for sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
Alongside research activities, Yukio Imamura has extensive experience in university and professional education. Academic teaching and research engagement are approached as connected parts of scientific practice.
03 — RESEARCH EVOLUTION
One research trajectory.
More ways to connect it.
Our current work with AI is rooted in—not separate from—long-standing questions in neuroscience. From the brain's relationship with environment and sensation to translational challenges in medicine, the direction is continuous: to understand complex human systems more fully.
FOUNDATIONHuman
Human
Neuroscience
Biological signals
Environment & sensation
Brain function
Neuroarchitecture
Exploring the relationship between observable human responses and spatial environments.
Translational research
Supporting the integration of biomedical evidence across research contexts.
AI-assisted research
Developing thoughtful tools for hypothesis generation and evidence connection.
Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy
& Neuromodulation
Understanding molecular and functional mechanisms of sepsis-associated brain dysfunction and investigating non-invasive therapeutic approaches, including ultrasound vagal nerve stimulation.
Neurodegeneration
& Quantum-Dot Imaging
Using quantum-dot-based imaging and molecular approaches to investigate alpha-synuclein propagation and experimental models related to Parkinsonian disorders.
Human Neuroscience
& Environment
Investigating human brain responses to sensory and environmental conditions using physiological measurements including NIRS/fNIRS, with applications to aging and human-centered environments.
04 — PROJECT FAMILY
Two Architect projects, one shared premise: AI can help researchers design more coherent paths through complex information.
PROJECT 01
PRODUCT BETA
NeuroAffect
Architect
AI-assisted Neuroarchitecture Platform
A research-grounded AI-assisted platform exploring relationships between observable human responses and spatial environments in support of more human-centered design.
Project overview coming soon
PROJECT 02
IN DEVELOPMENT
Therapeutic
Architect
AI-assisted Drug Repurposing &
Translational Research Platform
A research support platform for hypothesis generation and evidence integration across disease, approved drugs, biomedical evidence, safety information, and clinical guidelines.
Project overview coming soon
THE ARCHITECT PRINCIPLE
Whether designing environments around human neurobehavioral responses or research hypotheses around biomedical evidence, the work begins with the same question: how might we make complex knowledge more coherent, usable, and human-centered?
05 — SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Research is a
living record.
A small, verified selection of research across translational neuroscience, neurodegeneration, and human neuroscience. The complete academic record remains available on researchmap.
Yukio Imamura et al.
“Ultrasound stimulation of the vagal nerve improves acute septic encephalopathy in mice.”
Frontiers in Neuroscience 17, 1211608
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2023.1211608 ↗Yukio Imamura et al.
“Quantum-dot-labeled synuclein seed assay identifies drugs modulating the experimental prion-like transmission.”
Communications Biology 5, 636
DOI 10.1038/s42003-022-03590-8 ↗Junya Kasahara, Yukio Imamura et al.
“Proteomic analysis of subcellular compartments containing disseminated alpha-synuclein seeds.”
Neuroscience Research 170, 341–349
DOI 10.1016/j.neures.2020.11.009 ↗Yukio Imamura et al.
“The Effect of Smartphone Games on Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow in Healthy Elderly Individuals: A Case Study in a Care Facility.”
Journal of Japan Health Medicine Association 33(2), 194–199
DOI 10.20685/kenkouigaku.33.2_194 ↗06 — CONTACT
Begin a
conversation.
For research dialogue, future collaboration, and project inquiries, please get in touch.
imamura.neurospacelab@gmail.com ↗