Ultrasound Technology Used for Boosting Brain Activity

A recent study from Virginia Tech’s Carilion Research Institute found that ultrasound waves directed to a specific region of the brain can modulate activity to heighten sensory perception in humans. Scientists delivered focused ultrasound to an area of the cerebral cortex that processes sensory information received from the hand and then stimulated the median nerve (a major nerve that runs down the arm into the carpal tunnel) by placing a small electrode on the wrists of volunteers. Brain responses were recorded using electroencephalography, or EEG. Then, just before stimulating the nerve, ultrasound was delivered to the targeted brain region. Scientists observed that volunteers became better at detecting differences in sensations after undergoing two different neurological tests. To read more about the results of this study, click here.