Project Details
Supervisor
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/dynamicconnectomelab/
Project area or title
Brighter Mind: Combined ultrasound and magnetic stimulation for depression treatment
Description
Noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is already being used as an intervention for depression. However, these technique can only directly stimulate brain regions close to the skull. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), on the other hand, can directly target deep-brain structures. As deep-brain structures are well known to be involved in depression, this project will test how interventions can be improved by simultaneously targeting superficial structures with TMS and deep-brain structures with TUS. As TMS-only intervention outcomes are already available through the large BrightMind trial, we will focus on testing how effects and side effects differ for combined TMS+TUS interventions in a small pilot cohort. TMS is an FDA-approved depression treatment and by combining TUS with TMS, this project aims to improve the efficacy of neuromodulation treatment in depression. This can potentially pioneer a novel and more effective intervention for depression patients in the Midlands.
Theme
Severe Mental Health (covering psychosis, forensic)
University
University of Nottingham
Specific Project Eligibility
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/research/medicine-phd