Tucson Standard

In a recent study published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, researchers from the University of Arizona have utilized low-intensity ultrasound technology to noninvasively alter a brain region associated with daydreaming, memory recall, and future envisioning. The findings suggest that this technique can enhance mindfulness, marking a significant advancement in neuroscience.

The team employed transcranial-focused ultrasound (TFUS) to target the default mode network (DMN) of the brain. "We are the first to show that the default mode network can be directly targeted and noninvasively modulated," stated Brian Lord, lead author and postdoctoral researcher in the University of Arizona's Department of Psychology.

Lord explained that one area within the DMN, the posterior cingulate cortex, plays a crucial role in how individuals form narratives about their experiences. While this narrative formation is essential for self-coherence, it can also hinder present-moment awareness and contribute to rumination during activities like meditation.

To enhance mindfulness, Lord's team used TFUS to stimulate specific brain areas with millimeter precision. Unlike other noninvasive methods such as transcranial electrical stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation, TFUS can penetrate below the cortex. Just five minutes of TFUS stimulation was found to induce meaningful effects.

The experiment involved 30 participants who received TFUS targeting the posterior cingulate cortex. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to observe changes in brain activity, and participants reported their feelings and experiences before and after treatment. The study revealed that TFUS reduced connectivity within the DMN and influenced participants' mindfulness as well as their sense of self and time perception.

"The best part is you are using a minimal amount of energy to alter brain activity. You are just giving a gentle push to the brain with low-intensity ultrasound," Lord noted.

This ability to target and modify brain networks opens up potential applications for precision therapeutics—medical treatments tailored specifically to an individual's characteristics such as genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment. According to Lord, TFUS could potentially treat mood disorders like depression and anxiety, which other research groups are currently exploring.

"Unlike neuroimaging techniques where you can only make correlations with brain activity, noninvasive stimulation tools like TFUS allow you to probe the brain and develop causal models," said Lord. "That's a really powerful thing for the whole field of neuroscience."

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