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Toward richer artificial touch through brain stimulation

Stimulating two parts of the brain at the same time may create richer artificial touch sensations, according to a study published in Brain Stimulation. The study found that simultaneous stimulation of the primary somatosensory cortex and insular cortex produced qualitatively richer, multicomponent percepts in three patients.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeCase study·DateSep 30, 2026

Low-frequency deep brain stimulation improves speech and swallowing after traumatic brain injury, Pitt study shows

A new University of Pittsburgh study found that low-frequency deep brain stimulation improves control of facial and tongue muscles involved in speaking and swallowing after traumatic brain injury. The treatment showed small but significant improvements in word intelligibility for one participant with TBI.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2026

Hebei Medical University researchers review prolonged disorders of consciousness management

Researchers from Hebei Medical University review current evidence on prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC) management. They propose a brain communication network model to explain how brain injury leads to long-term unconsciousness, identifying key brain electrical signaling activity measures for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 17, 2026

New study helps explain why brain stimulation responses vary

Researchers analyzed EBRAINS-hosted brain data to determine that whole-brain activity patterns predict stimulation outcomes better than local recordings. Targeting specific sensorimotor and visual networks reduces response variability by up to 24%. This study highlights the value of open datasets for enabling large-scale analyses.

SourceEBRAINS·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateAug 14, 2026

Towards deep brain stimulation without surgery

A team from UNIGE has improved a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called temporal interference stimulation, allowing deeper and more targeted stimulation. The breakthrough enables the potential application of this method in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease and depression without surgery.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell Systems·TypeNews article·DateJun 8, 2026

Rewiring the urge to smoke

Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center found that stimulating a specific brain region regulates self-control reduced how much people smoked, with participants showing significant reductions in smoking and cravings after treatment

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 8, 2026

Researchers test a two-way brain interface with wearable robotic legs that could one day restore walking and sensation after paralysis

Researchers at USC, Caltech, and UC Irvine have developed a two-way brain interface that allows patients to control wearable robotic legs using their thoughts. The system accurately detected brain signals indicating the intent to walk about 92% of the time and restored walking sensations with about 93% accuracy in an early proof-of-con...

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2026

From the lab to the living room: Decoding Parkinson’s patients movements in the real world

Researchers from UC San Francisco successfully decoded brain activity patterns associated with walking, enabling the development of personalized neural biomarkers for movement state classification. This breakthrough could lead to more effective adaptive DBS systems that adjust stimulation in response to a patient's activity state.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Brain stimulation can nudge people to behave less selfishly

Researchers used transcranial alternating current stimulation to synchronize frontal and parietal lobes, increasing participants' ability to make altruistic choices. This study provides new insights into the neural basis of social decisions and has implications for future research on cooperation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2026

Unexpected partial recovery of natural vision observed after intracortical microstimulation in a blind patient

A blind patient partially recovered natural vision through electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, independent of the implant. The recovery was sustained over time and remained even after the device was removed, suggesting individual factors may have contributed to this outcome.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalBrain Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

University Hospitals is the first health system in the world to successfully treat patients with the OneRF® trigeminal nerve ablation system

Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition causing sudden, severe electric shock-like pain in the face. University Hospitals has successfully treated two initial patients with the OneRF Trigeminal Nerve Ablation System, providing complete pain relief without complications. The minimally-invasive procedure uses radiofrequency ener...

Researchers show visual training dramatically improves cognitive function after concussion

A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that a visual training program called Perceptual Attention Therapy (PATH) produces rapid improvements in reading, attention, memory, and executive function after concussion. PATH addresses underlying visual timing deficits before strengthening specific cognitive skills.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 15, 2025

UMH pioneers a visual neuroprosthesis that communicates with the brain in real time, tested in two blind volunteers

Spanish researchers at UMH have developed a new generation of visual neuroprosthesis capable of bidirectional communication with the cerebral cortex. The system uses a small external camera to capture images, which are processed electronically and converted into electrical stimulation patterns sent to the occipital cortex. Participants...

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2025

University of Minnesota research team awarded $4M grant for first-of-its-kind study on bipolar disorder

A University of Minnesota Medical School research team, led by Ziad Nahas, has been awarded a $4.4 million grant to explore how large-scale brain networks regulate mood in bipolar disorder. The team will test a novel type of brain stimulation called Personalized and Adaptive Cortico Electrostimulation (PACE) to relieve symptoms and ide...

Small study suggests 40Hz sensory stimulation may benefit some Alzheimer’s patients for years

A small study found that five volunteers with late-onset Alzheimer's disease showed significant improvements in cognitive tests and decreased biomarker tau proteins after two years of receiving 40Hz light and sound stimulation. This suggests that the therapy may slow cognitive decline and have direct biological impacts on Alzheimer's p...

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2025

Vision therapy reverses concussion-related double and blurred vision, NJIT-led study finds

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that vision therapy can effectively treat concussion-related eye coordination disorders, including convergence insufficiency and accommodation insufficiency. Nearly 90% of patients in the treatment group were able to see normally after 12 weeks of therapy.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateOct 2, 2025

New ultrasound helmet enables deep brain stimulation in people without surgery

A new ultrasound device has been developed to precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery, offering new possibilities for neurological research and treatment. The technology features a special helmet with 256 elements that target specific parts of the brain, and includes a soft plastic face mask to keep the head still.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

From puck drop to brain pop

Researchers found that passionate fans show more activity in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex during offensive faceoff opportunities, indicating emotional involvement and evaluative thinking. The study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to track brain activity in 20 participants watching a professional European ice hockey game.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2025

New study highlights potential boost to brain stimulation therapy through targeted symptom provocation

A new meta-analysis found that symptom provocation before repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment may enhance clinical response for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and nicotine dependence. rTMS was nearly twice as effective when symptom provocation was used compared to when it wasn't.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 6, 2025

First-of-its-kind study suggests that mindfulness and brain stimulation could reduce bladder leaks

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training and non-invasive brain stimulation can significantly reduce bladder leaks and feelings of urgency evoked by specific environments or scenarios. The study, published in Continence, used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to activate the prefrontal co...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalContinence·DateMay 29, 2025

Brain research: Study shows how brain stimulation can influence decisions

A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that brain stimulation can influence decisions, making choices faster with anodal stimulation and slower with cathodal stimulation. The research used transcranial direct current stimulation to activate or inhibit specific brain regions.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2025

Research spotlight: A generalized epilepsy network derived from brain abnormalities and deep brain stimulation

A team of researchers has identified a common brain network that generalized seizures hijack, which is located in the region where deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are placed. This finding could help explain why DBS is effective in alleviating generalized seizures and potentially improve treatment outcomes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2025

Carnegie Mellon researchers discover new minimally invasive method for deep brain stimulation to treat depression and other neural conditions

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new, minimally invasive method called DeepFocus for treating depression and other neural conditions using transnasal electrical stimulation. This technique offers more accurate and efficient targeting of deep brain structures with lower risk.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateMar 5, 2025

Fulfilling the promise of noninvasive brain stimulation as a precision medicine tool - A free webinar from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

A free webinar by Brain & Behavior Research Foundation presents advancements in neurobiology of fight-or-flight responding and its targeting using noninvasive brain stimulation technologies. The discussion focuses on transcranial magnetic stimulation and focused ultrasound for developing new treatments.

New study reveals how brain stimulation improves cognition, decision-making in mental health disorders

Researchers developed a preclinical model of brain stimulation therapy that enhances the brain's ability to process conflicting evidence. This improvement in cognitive flexibility could lead to more effective treatments for conditions like depression, ADHD, and addiction.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 19, 2024