Brain disorders are a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, depression, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, addiction, autism, and dementia affecting hundred of millions. Advances in neuroimaging have linked these disorders to abnormal brain circuit activity, but effective treatments remain limited. Current pharmacological options often have significant side effects, while psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) require lengthy treatment periods and may be inaccessible for severe cases. Emerging techniques like deep brain stimulation (DBS) show promise but are invasive and carry risks. Non-invasive alternatives such as transcranial electric or magnetic stimulation (TES/TMS) have shown potential but suffer from limited spatial resolution and inconsistent results due to individual anatomical differences.
Our project aims to address these limitations by developing a novel brain stimulation device based on temporal interference of magnetic fields (TIMS). This device will enable millimeter- and millisecond-precise modulation of neural activity, even in deep brain regions up to 60 mm beneath the surface. By leveraging the undistorted passage of magnetic fields through biological tissue, TIMS can achieve high precision in targeting and modulating specific neural circuits. Our envisioned device, protected by an international patent, uses phase-shifted high-carrier signals to generate a wide spectrum of waveforms, allowing for cell type-specific modulation of abnormal circuit activity—a significant breakthrough in the field. Additionally, our adaptive closed-loop system, capable of real-time targeting of brain oscillations, overcomes the challenge of stimulation artifacts through advanced techniques like Stimulation Artifact Source Separation (SASS).
This project aims to provide a non-invasive, precise, and adaptive method for brain stimulation, offering a potentially transformative treatment for a wide range of neuro-psychiatric disorders. By enabling targeted modulation of brain activity, we expect to improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects compared to existing methods. This approach could revolutionize the management of brain disorders, making effective treatment accessible to a broader population. The integration of social sciences and humanities will ensure ethical considerations and societal impact are thoroughly addressed, promoting widespread acceptance and optimal implementation of this innovative technology.
