Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.
Research at Universidad Complutense de Madrid found that tumour cells from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) can hide in the subventricular neurogenic niche, causing relapses and preventing new neurone generation. This discovery may explain cognitive and sensory alterations in ALL survivors.
The International Neuromodulation Society 15th World Congress will feature over 470 abstracts and plenary lectures on neuromodulation therapy. Researchers from around the world will gather in Barcelona to discuss scientific theory and clinical applications of neuromodulation therapies.
A CAMH-led study found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduced self-reported cannabis use by up to 60% among people with schizophrenia and CUD. The treatment was associated with reduced cravings and improved quality of life.
A new study finds that the placebo effect activates the same brain regions targeted by brain-stimulation therapy for depression, complicating clinical trial interpretation. The study's findings may offer insights on harnessing the therapeutic potential of the placebo effect.
A research team developed an algorithm that instantly assesses and adjusts brain stimulation placement using electroencephalography (EEG) feedback. The method can find the optimal stimulation parameters in just 1-2 minutes, potentially improving the efficacy of TMS treatment for brain disorders like chronic pain and depression.
Researchers found that brain activity in children with arthrogryposis is different from healthy controls, with increased motor neuron activity and less precise movements. Non-invasive brain stimulation may be a possible rehabilitation strategy to help them start movements.
A long-term study found that academic education can positively affect aging of the brain, with reduced degenerative processes and improved cognitive performance. Participants with an academic background showed a lower increase in signs of brain degeneration and faster processing speeds.
A new study published in Science Advances has shown that transcranial ultrasound (TUS) can disrupt the brain's credit assignment processes, leading to more exploratory decisions. The study also found that TUS selectively alters behavior without affecting other brain regions.
Researchers at the University of Bern used brain stimulation to demonstrate that mentalizing with future climate change victims encourages sustainable behavior. The study found that stimulating an area of the brain involved in perspective-taking led to more sustainable decisions, suggesting potential benefits for climate communication.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have identified the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. They found that TDP-43 protein accumulation in neuromuscular junctions inhibits local protein synthesis and mitochondrial activity, leading to degeneration and death of motor neurons.
A study by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers shows that merging AI with electrical brain stimulation can enhance specific brain functions related to self-control and mental flexibility. The method improved cognitive control in patients undergoing brain surgery for epilepsy, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.
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.
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 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.