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TUCSON, Ariz. — Applying low-intensity ultrasound technology to areas of the brain in charge of daydreaming can increase a person’s mindfulness, according to a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Being more present in the moment helps control wandering and negative thoughts, as mindfulness calms down the sympathetic nervous system and helps people get in tune with their emotions and thoughts. According to researchers from the University of Arizona, just five minutes of ultrasound stimulation can create meaningful change in a person’s brain network. The new noninvasive technology also opens up a new avenue of treatment for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
“Unlike neuroimaging techniques where you can only make correlations with brain activity, noninvasive stimulation tools like [transcranial-focused ultrasound] allow you to probe the brain and develop causal models,” says Brian Lord, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Arizona’s Department of Psychology, in a media release. “That’s a really powerful thing for the whole field of neuroscience.”
Methodology
The research team used a low-intensity ultrasound technology known as transcranial-focused ultrasound (TFUS) to modify the default network of the brain. These brain regions are connected and most active in activities such as daydreaming, memory recall, and envisioning the future. For example, people who let their minds wander and insert themselves into a fantasized scenario activate the default mode network.
“This is how we form narratives about ourselves,” Lord says.
Having a narrative of yourself is important in understanding who you are as a person. However, it’s a double-edged sword. Being too in your head can make people miss out on being aware of the present. For example, a lack of control over daydreaming can make it harder to filter out negative thoughts and feelings when trying to meditate.
The posterior cingulate cortex is one area of particular interest in the default mode network. This brain area is important in how the mind handles certain experiences.
“We are the first to show that the default mode network can be directly targeted and noninvasively modulated,” Lord reports.
The TFUS helps stimulate certain brain areas with millimeter precision. Unlike other noninvasive brain stimulation methods, it goes below the cortex, the brain’s outermost layer.
Key Results
In the current study, 30 people received TFUS stimulation to the posterior cingulate cortex. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to see what changes were happening with the brain in real time. They also interviewed participants before and after the TFUS session to gauge their feelings and experiences.
TFUS lowered brain connectivity in the default mode network. This translated to increased mindfulness as people reported feeling a better sense of self and a better perception of time.
“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 concludes.
Discussion & Takeaways
Targeting and changing a person’s brain network opens up a new realm of treatment options in the mental health field. TFUS may extend beyond mindfulness, with some researchers using it to treat depression and anxiety. Additionally, the technology may make treatments more unique to an individual. Instead of a generic medication, TFUS would help create a treatment specific to a person’s genes, lifestyle, and environment.
