Temporal Interference Methods for Non-invasive Deep Brain Stimulation
Indiana University
Summary
In its totality, this grant aims to develop a line of research using temporal interference (TI) electrical neurostimulation technology to understand the causal role of deep brain structures in cognition. In the short term, the investigators aim to validate and characterize the effects of TI on brain activity as measured by fMRI and demonstrate its ability to focally stimulate deep brain regions without affecting overlying cortex. In the longer term, investigators aim to use these data to resolve longstanding debates about the function of deeper brain regions and lay the foundation for future clinical applications of TI for treating addiction, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Parkinson's disease, and other disorders involving deep brain dysfunction. The grant supports 2 distinct aims, each of which will be evaluated through a series of independent studies.
Description
Through the grant's duration, the investigators hypothesize that temporal interference (TI) electrical neurostimulation will be well tolerated and effective at focally manipulating deep brain activity as measured by functional MRI (fMRI) BOLD signals. The investigators will investigate whether TI stimulation can increase BOLD activity in targeted deep brain regions including the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and whether this stimulation can influence cognitive functions controlled by these regions. TI works by applying alternating currents of slightly di…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 and 50 * Must have at least a 6th grade education * Ability to speak and read English for all phases Exclusion Criteria: * Currently taking psychotropic medications for ADHD, other mental illness, or medications for cancer * History of epilepsy or seizure disorders * History of migraines or other neurological syndromes * History of AIDS (due to potential cognitive deficits) * History of head trauma or cognitive impairments * Personal experiences consistent with symptoms of psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, delusions of control or special powers) *…
Interventions
- DeviceTemporal Interference (TI) Electrical Stimulation - NAcc TI Active
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation delivered through two sets of scalp electrodes using alternating current frequencies (e.g., 2000 Hz and 2020 Hz) at up to 2 mA per electrode. This stimulation creates a beat frequency interference pattern (e.g., 20 Hz) that focally stimulates deep brain regions without activating overlying cortex. For the NAcc TI Active condition, 2000Hz will be administered in one channel and 2020Hz in the other. These frequencies will be administered in 2 minutes on/2 minutes off cycles with a 30 second ramp up and ramp down beginning at the start of each 2 minute period.
- DeviceTemporal Interference (TI) Electrical Stimulation - NAcc TI Sham
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation delivered through two sets of scalp electrodes using alternating current frequencies (e.g., 2000 Hz and 2020 Hz) at up to 2 mA per electrode. This stimulation creates a beat frequency interference pattern (e.g., 20 Hz) that focally stimulates deep brain regions without activating overlying cortex. For the NAcc TI Sham condition, 2000Hz will be administered in one channel and 2020Hz in the other. These frequencies will be administered in 2 minutes on/2 minutes off cycles, however, instead of the 30 second ramp up and ramp down at the beginning of each 2 minute period (as seen in the Active TI condition), the stimulation in the NAcc TI Sham condition will immediately ramp down as soon as it reaches 2mA after ramp up.
- DeviceTemporal Interference (TI) Electrical Stimulation - NAcc No-TI Active
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation delivered through two sets of scalp electrodes using the same current frequencies at up to 2 mA per electrode. For the NAcc No-TI Active condition, 2000Hz will be administered in both channels. These frequencies will be administered in 2 minutes on/2 minutes off cycles with a 30 second ramp up and ramp down beginning at the start of each 2 minute period.
Location
- Indiana University Bloomington, Imaging Research FacilityBloomington, Indiana