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Neurological disorders like addiction and depression pose significant challenges for treatment due to their complex nature and deep-seated brain involvement. However, groundbreaking research led by Friedhelm Hummel and Pierre Vassiliadis at EPFL's School of Life Sciences introduced a promising solution through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.

Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the study delved into the innovative application of transcranial Temporal Interference Electric Stimulation (tTIS), a method designed to precisely target deep brain regions pivotal in various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Unlike invasive procedures like deep brain stimulation (DBS), tTIS utilizes low-level electrical stimulation applied to the scalp to reach specific brain regions associated with addiction, depression, and other disorders.

Lead author Pierre Vassiliadis explained the mechanics of tTIS, which involves strategically placing pairs of electrodes on the scalp to generate weak electrical fields inside the brain. By exploiting temporal interference, where two electrical currents intersect to create an effective stimulation frequency, tTIS achieves selective targeting of deep brain regions while minimizing impact on surrounding tissues.

"Up until now, we couldn't specifically target these regions with non-invasive techniques, as the low-level electrical fields would stimulate all the regions between the skull and the deeper zones-rendering any treatments ineffective. This approach allows us to selectively stimulate deep brain regions that are important in neuropsychiatric disorders," he said, Medical Express reported.

The research focused on the human striatum, a critical brain region involved in reward processing and reinforcement learning. Through precise stimulation at 80 Hz, the team successfully disrupted normal striatal functioning, offering insights into potential therapeutic interventions for conditions driven by reward mechanisms, such as addiction.

"We're examining how reinforcement learning, essentially how we learn through rewards, can be influenced by targeting specific brain frequencies," Vassiliadis stated.

Beyond disrupting brain functions, the study explored how different stimulation patterns could enhance neural activity, particularly in older adults with learning deficits. Friedhelm Hummel now envisions tTIS as a groundbreaking approach heralding personalized treatment options with minimal invasiveness.

"We're looking at a non-invasive approach that allows us to experiment and personalize treatment for deep brain stimulation in the early stages," he said.

With its minimal side effects and patient-friendly nature, tTIS holds promise for widespread adoption in clinical settings, offering a cost-effective and expansive scope of treatment for neurological disorders. Hummel and Vassiliadis are optimistic about the transformative impact of their research, envisioning a future where non-invasive neuromodulation therapies become standard in hospitals worldwide.