Non-invasive brain stimulation alters reward-seeking behavior
Non-invasive ultrasound stimulation can alter brain reward mechanisms, offering potential treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Why it matters
- First study to show non-invasive alteration of brain reward mechanisms.
- Potential non-surgical alternative for treating disorders like addiction and depression.
By the numbers
- 26 healthy participants.
- 4 visits per participant.
- 10 minutes post-TUS for tasks.
The big picture
- TUS could be a non-invasive alternative to surgical methods like DBS.
- Potential applications in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
What they're saying
- Comments joke about using TUS for work motivation or ADHD.
- Some users discuss the study's methods and findings in detail.
Caveats
- Study involved healthy participants; effects in clinical populations need further research.
- TUS had an opposite excitatory effect compared to DBS, but both altered reward sensitivity.
What’s next
- Further research to explore clinical applications.
- Potential for personalized treatments using TUS.