CiNet Monthly Seminar

March 27, 2023
16:00-17:00 JST (GMT + 9:00)

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Sign up by 17:00 on March 23.
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You will be notified of participation details by e-mail on March 24.

“Non-invasive deep brain stimulation with focused ultrasound”

Lennart Verhagen
Assistant Professor
Donders Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands

Host : Masahiko Haruno

Abstract:
To understand the mind and brain we need an integrated approach of theory, measurement, and intervention. This last component – the need for tools to probe and modulate the human brain – has proven particularly challenging. Current neuromodulation techniques are either highly invasive or restricted to the surface of the brain. Focused transcranial ultrasound has the potential to overcome these limitations. I will discuss how we can use low-intensity ultrasound to safely stimulate deep brain structures, such as the amygdala and medial frontal cortex, with high precision. We are translating this approach to humans, modulating excitability in the motor cortex, biasing saccade choice in frontal cortex, and perturbing threat learning in the amygdala. In all studies, our focus is on optimizing efficacy and safety, minimizing confounds, and laying the strongest possible foundations for a new neurotechnology in humans.