Articles tagged with Brain Stimulation
A first-in-human study at Cleveland Clinic found that targeting the dentate nucleus with deep brain stimulation was safe and feasible for promoting post-stroke rehabilitation, enabling significant functional improvement in upper extremity hemiparesis. The study's adaptive design allowed for extended treatment duration if patients conti...
Researchers investigated whether continued magnetic seizure therapy (MST) could effectively prevent the relapse of treatment-resistant depression. The study found that MST was associated with a lower relapse rate compared to earlier research assessing one-time, acute MST.
Researchers created a customized device that targets unique brain circuits associated with depression, providing immediate relief. The approach uses neural biomarkers to personalize therapy and has shown long-term efficacy in treatment-resistant patients.
A systematic review found evidence that non-invasive brain stimulation can reduce smoking frequency in nicotine-dependent smokers. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with the greatest reduction in smoking frequency.
Researchers have developed a new, noninvasive brain stimulation technique using magnetoelectric nanoparticles to stimulate deep brain function. The method is more efficient than traditional methods without invasive procedures, showing promise for treating various neurological conditions.
A study using non-invasive brain stimulation found that exciting the brain's reward circuit before listening to music increased pleasure, while inhibiting it decreased it. The researchers also discovered that synchronized activity between auditory and reward regions was linked to the pleasure experienced.
Researchers found strong links between auditory cortex information in humans and primates, suggesting an evolutionary process dating back at least 25 million years. The study provides new insights into the origins of human language and memory, highlighting a previously unseen ancestral brain highway system.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have made a breakthrough in treating post-stroke depression using high-frequency brain stimulation. The study found that large doses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) significantly improved low moods by increasing brain activity.
A recent study found that individualized brain stimulation therapy improves language performance in stroke survivors with aphasia, targeting abnormal activity outside the damaged tissue. The therapy also shows promise for individuals with dementia, highlighting a personalized approach to treating this debilitating disorder.
Researchers at MUSC have developed E-meditation, merging mindfulness with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to calm the mind. The study, involving 31 participants, showed promising results, with attendees easily applying the device and minimal side effects.
Researchers found that patients with more connected white matter in targeted brain regions respond better to non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, suggesting a potential breakthrough in personalizing the therapy. The study also showed partial reversal of abnormalities in brain activity caused by traumatic brain injury.
A multi-site study will assess the safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise therapies to improve upper limb function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The study aims to explore the effects of tDCS on strength, dexterity, and independence.
Researchers found that brain stimulation during short breaks improves recall of learned motor sequences, even after several hours of practice has stopped. The study suggests that pauses between practice sessions solidify learning in the brain, and stimulation can enhance this process.
Researchers propose two criteria for selecting optimal brain stimulation strategy, considering interactions between hemispheres and neuronal phenotype. This approach aims to improve effectiveness of non-invasive neuromodulation methods in stroke patients.
A new study using electrical stimulation to treat epilepsy found that brain activity can be predicted by monitoring changes in neural connectivity. Repeated sets of stimulation led to progressive changes in the brain's response to simulation, suggesting rapid reorganization of brain structure.
A combination of visual training and brain stimulation enhances learning in healthy adults, with twice as much improvement seen on a visual motion task. The study also found that this technique can lead to faster visual recovery and improved quality of life for patients who suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
A study published in The BMJ suggests that non-surgical brain stimulation techniques, such as ECT and rTMS, may be effective as alternative or add-on treatments for adults with severe depression. However, more research is needed to fully understand their benefits and potential side effects.
Schizophrenia's negative symptoms, including loss of motivation and social communication, are linked to a breakdown in brain network connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Non-invasive brain stimulation restored this network's function, improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
The 2019 International Brain Stimulation Award recognizes Mark Hallett's pioneering work in developing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and advancing the field of neuromodulation. His research has led to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions, including depression and OCD.
Researchers created data-driven models of individual brains to understand how brain structure affects cognitive tasks, such as language demand. The study identifies potential strategies for enhancing performance through targeted brain stimulation.
A study by Drexel University researchers explores the public's willingness to use brain stimulation devices, revealing a divide between personal and moral acceptance. Participants were more likely to support using brain stimulation on others to repair cognitive functions than enhance their own abilities.
Recent studies use non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the neurobiology underlying implicit biases, revealing potential for behavioral interventions to reduce stereotyping. The technique has shown promise in modulating brain activity linked to social behaviors and attitudes.
Researchers used laser stimulation to increase oligodendrocyte proliferation and alter myelination in the mouse brain, highlighting potential mechanisms underlying brain stimulation and connectivity. These findings suggest a new avenue for exploring the neural basis of brain stimulation therapies.
A novel computational approach has been developed to calculate optimal personalized brain stimulation treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The new framework incorporates patients' MRI scans and physiological brain signaling measurements to identify specific brain regions that would benefit from stimulation.
Researchers have found that faster brain stimulation can lead to neuronal response failures, suggesting a 'less is more' approach for optimal therapy. This discovery challenges traditional intuition and highlights the importance of optimizing stimulation scheduling.
Researchers found that non-invasive brain stimulation technologies like tDCS and TMS significantly improve fine motor movement in stroke patients. These gains were also observed in healthy participants' non-dominant hands, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for these treatments.
Research found that transcranial direct current stimulation improves memory in people aged 18-35 but not those aged 60-79. The study tested 48 participants in each age group and found a 50% improvement in memory for younger adults immediately after stimulation.
A brain-machine interface combining brain stimulation and robotic control increases neural signal strength, potentially benefiting stroke patients with hand paralysis. This technique harnesses additional neurons to enhance motor function.
New brain stimulation techniques offer safer, targeted means to study brain function, improve memory, and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. These advancements have the potential to reach areas deeper in the brain, deliver customized stimulation, and study diseases in new ways.
A study by Coventry University and Oxford University found no connection between intuitive or analytical thinking and supernatural beliefs. Instead, researchers suggest that upbringing and socio-cultural processes drive religious beliefs, contradicting the long-held theory of 'natural' intuition playing a key role.
Neuroeconomic research investigates the neural underpinnings of the decoy effect, a marketing strategy that influences decision-making. The study reveals greater value-related activity in the left ventral striatum when the chosen option is superior to the decoy, indicating its impact on choice.
A study published in Brain Stimulation found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve endurance performance by decreasing perceived effort. The research, conducted at the University of Kent, used a placebo-controlled study to test the effects of tDCS on cycling time to task failure.
Researchers will combine personalized music choices with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to improve memory among patients with MCI. The study aims to strengthen the brain pathway used by music to activate memories and slow down memory decline.
A comprehensive new study from University of Illinois researchers found that combining physical exercise and mild electric brain stimulation with computer-based cognitive training promotes skill learning significantly more than using cognitive training alone. The enhanced learning was skill-specific and did not translate to general int...
Researchers at King's College London found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive performance, particularly in working memory and executive functioning, in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests that tDCS may be a promising new treatment for the condition's cognitive deficits.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London used transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance creative problem-solving ability by suppressing a key brain area. Participants who received the intervention showed improved ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems.
Research from Sandia National Laboratories shows that brain stimulation combined with working memory training improves cognitive performance. Volunteers who received non-invasive brain stimulation while training showed significant improvements in verbal and spatial tasks, as well as problem-solving ability.
Researchers found that brain stimulation increased honest behavior in people who experienced a moral conflict between material and moral interests. The stimulation mainly reduced cheating in those with strong moral inclinations, but did not affect decision-making process in those committed to maximizing earnings.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that applying a low voltage current can bring different areas of the brain in sync, enabling people to perform better on tasks involving working memory. The approach could one day be used to treat conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy.
A new study found that non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can significantly reduce bulimia symptoms, including urge to binge eat and concerns about weight. The treatment showed promise in improving cognitive control over compulsive features of the disorder.
A new study reveals that brain stimulation can improve timing abilities in mice lacking dopamine, a key player in Parkinson's disease. The breakthrough finding suggests that targeted brain stimulation could be used to treat cognitive problems caused by PD and possibly other conditions.
University of Washington researchers demonstrate humans playing a simple two-dimensional computer game using only input from direct brain stimulation. The subjects navigated mazes with improved accuracy when receiving guidance via phosphene stimulation, suggesting potential for encoding novel information into the human brain.
Researchers found that specific changes in neural connections can retain information for short periods, allowing it to be retrieved through noninvasive brain stimulation techniques. The study used TMS to reactivate and strengthen latent memories, demonstrating a dynamic maintenance mechanism under cognitive control.
Dr. Barker's groundbreaking research on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has revolutionized the field of neuroscience, enabling precise and pain-free brain stimulation. His invention has opened up new avenues for understanding brain function and treating neurological and psychiatric conditions.
A meta-analysis found that non-invasive brain stimulation can reduce food cravings for high-calorie snack foods, with a moderate-sized effect, roughly half a point on a four-point self-rated scale. The results suggest that DLPFC stimulation reduces cravings, especially for carbohydrates, which are often implicated in obesity.
A group of researchers warns against DIY use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) due to its unpredictability and potential for unintended consequences. The study highlights the need for caution when applying tDCS outside a lab setting, as it can affect brain function in unforeseen ways.
Researchers are identifying who may benefit from cognitive training and new methods to result in long-lasting, positive effects on cognition. Cognitive neuroscientists are using tools like tDCS to boost working memory, with enhancements lasting over months.
Researchers from HRL Laboratories used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve pilot learning in a realistic flight simulator. The study found that subjects who received tDCS showed improved piloting abilities, with enhanced skill retention and faster learning rates.
A multicenter, double-blind study found that sTMS therapy was significantly more effective than sham for treatment-naive and treatment-resistant patients with MDD, achieving a clinical response rate of 34.2%. The device also showed an attractive safety profile, with no significant adverse events.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg tested portable stimulator on 10 Swedish Parkinson's patients, showing improved balance and combined symptoms. The active noise stimulation improved the patients' balance and symptoms when unmedicated, and may lead to new treatment in the next five years.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center identified brain networks that can help guide site selection for brain stimulation therapies. The findings suggest that stimulating sites in the same connected brain network can improve treatment outcomes across multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers suggest targeting higher-motor areas instead of single targets to achieve personalized, not popular science, in stroke rehabilitation. By exploring substrates and defining successes and failures, they aim to create a shift in perspective that forces a broader understanding of brain stimulation's potential.
A new study aims to improve patients' ability to walk after a stroke by combining brain stimulation with gait training. The treatment group will receive transcranial direct current stimulation before gait training to help restore balance in cortical excitability.
Researchers successfully demonstrated a technique to boost inhibition in the brain, leading to improved self-control. The method, involving direct electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex, shows promise for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other severe disorders.
A new study found that brain stimulation can directly influence compliance with social norms, particularly in the right lateral prefrontal cortex. Participants who received increased neural activity followed fairness norms more strongly under threat of sanctions, but showed decreased voluntary norm compliance without punishments.
A new study suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation can significantly improve aphasia recovery in stroke survivors. The treatment was found to be most effective when administered early after the stroke, typically within five weeks, and showed a threefold improvement over sham stimulation in patients with anomia.
Researchers found that five days of cognitive training combined with transcranial random noise stimulation led to long-lasting improvements in math ability and brain function. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that TRNS enables the brain to work more efficiently by synchronizing neuron activity.
Researchers have developed a new, more precise form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) called FEAST, which shows promising results in reducing depressive symptoms with minimal adverse cognitive effects. In a feasibility study, patients experienced significant improvements after just 10 sessions over four weeks.
Research using tDCS shows promise in speeding up word finding in stroke patients and enhancing memory in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease patients. Numerical skills can also be improved using tDCS applied to the posterior parietal cortex, with observed improvements lasting up to 6 months.
Researchers found that treating patients with low-level non-invasive current stimulation for 10 days significantly reduced visual impairment and improved vision-related quality of life. The study showed a 41% shrinkage of visual field loss in treated patients compared to those receiving sham treatment.