Ultrasound technology is currently at the forefront of modulating the brain’s natural phenomena, such as daydreaming, random reverie and spontaneous thinking, which open the door to creativity and reflection.
It may seem unusual to try to control or modify these free-flowing thoughts, but new developments in neuroscience aim to do just that.
The goal is not to stifle our creative channels, but to enhance our ability to be present and pay attention in the moment.
Researchers at the prestigious University of Arizona have discovered that they can use low-intensity ultrasound technology to non-invasively modulate specific areas of the brain associated with activities such as daydreaming, memory recall, and envisioning the future.
Ultrasound technology and brain networks
The focus of this technological intervention is the default mode network (DMN), a connected system of brain regions that are particularly active during introspective activities such as daydreaming.
The researchers aimed to subtly alter this network using a specialized low-intensity ultrasound technique called “transcranial focused ultrasound,” or TFUS.
“We are the first to show that the default mode network can be directly targeted and modulated non-invasively,” proudly stated Brian Lord, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Arizona Department of Psychology.
Lord further revealed that one region of the DMN, the posterior cingulate cortex, plays a key role in how the mind approaches experience.
This network brings stories to life in our minds, reviving memories of the past and mapping out scenarios of the future.
Stories, Mindfulness, and Now
Although this narrative formation process is fascinating, it is not without potential drawbacks.
Lorde noted that while it contributes to a cohesive sense of self, such constant internal storytelling can hinder our ability to be truly present in each moment.
To counter this, Lord’s team used TFUS to stimulate specific brain regions noninvasively, with millimeter-level precision.
TFUS’s ability to penetrate below the cortex gives it an advantage over other noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial electrical stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Thirty participants underwent TFUS stimulation targeted to the posterior cingulate cortex of the DMN.
To measure the effects, they used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at changes in brain activity.
Participants reported their feelings and experiences before and after TFUS treatment.
How Ultrasound Affects Brain Health
The experiment concluded that TFUS reduces brain connectivity within the DMN, potentially affecting participants’ subjective experiences such as mindfulness, self-awareness, and perception of time.
“The best part is that we’re using minimal energy to change brain activity — we’re just gently stimulating the brain with low-intensity ultrasound,” Lord explained.
The potential benefits are enormous: the ability to target and modify brain networks opens the door to unique precision therapies – medical treatments specifically tailored to an individual’s characteristics, lifestyle and environment – and even to treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
“Unlike neuroimaging techniques, which can only look at correlations with brain activity, noninvasive stimulation tools like TFUS allow us to look at the brain and develop causal models,” Lord says, “and that’s really powerful for the entire field of neuroscience.”
Future directions and ethical considerations
Although TFUS technology is promising, it also raises important ethical considerations.
The ability to non-invasively modulate brain activity raises questions about consent, privacy, and potential misuse, and it is critical that the field has strict guidelines in place to ensure such a powerful tool is used responsibly.
Researchers and ethicists must work together to develop a framework that maintains the integrity of both scientific inquiry and individual rights.
Furthermore, future studies should aim to investigate the long-term effects of TFUS on brain networks and behavior.
Although early studies are promising, understanding the lasting impact of this technology will be essential for its integration into treatment practice.
Continued collaboration across disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, and ethics is essential to realizing the full potential of TFUS while safeguarding human well-being.
This research from the University of Arizona opens new possibilities in the field of neuroscience and could revolutionize our approach to mindfulness and mental health.
The study has been published in the journal The Frontier of Human Neuroscience.
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