An international group of neuroscientists from Switzerland and England announced a breakthrough in methods of deep, non-invasive (does not require penetrating the organ) brain stimulation methods that allow influencing brain activity. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Nature Neuroscience (NatNeuro).
Researchers have explored the possibilities of modulating brain processes using transcranial transient interference electrical stimulation (tTIS), which targets the striatum in the brain. Various neurological and psychiatric disorders are associated with this area, including stroke, anxiety, depression, as well as Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
45 healthy volunteers of different ages participated in the study. The first experiment involved 15 teenagers who had to tap their fingers in a specific order. During this time, scientists monitored brain processes using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
During the testing, experts used tTIS to influence the striatum to change the activity of neurons in this region.
The second experiment involved both old (mean age 66) and young (mean age 26) volunteers. They performed the same task in a more complex way and were given less time to prepare.
The results showed that brain stimulation improved participants’ motor performance in both conditions. In the second experiment, the effect was especially pronounced among older people; The modulation allowed them to improve their finger-beating results by more than 30% compared to those who performed the task without affecting the brain.
Experts also found that the success of the method depends on the presence of task-related brain activity. That is, the effect on the deep parts of the brain during rest periods had no effect.
The scientists believe their discovery will enable the development of new treatments for a variety of disorders associated with neural activity.
Previously Russian researchers was created neurostimulator to combat tremors.