Accurate, low-cost, trackerless neuronavigation for brain stimulation
Official title: Accurate, low-cost, trackerless neuronavigation for transcranial magnetic stimulation
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11304076 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke University team is testing a cheap, trackerless computer-vision method to guide where to apply transcranial magnetic stimulation for brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $493,090 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH129733-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304076 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People undergoing TMS treatment for depression, OCD, smoking addiction, or other brain disorders who could benefit from improved targeting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving TMS or those in whom imaging-based targeting is not applicable.
What this research studies
This project aims to make neuronavigation for TMS more affordable and comfortable by using consumer depth cameras and computer vision. Researchers will identify head keypoints and align TMS coil position to targeted brain regions without bulky tracking gear. The approach focuses on improving accuracy, reducing time for setup, and lowering costs to expand access. If successful, this could lead to more consistent responses to TMS in patients with mood and other brain disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise and affordable TMS treatments with potentially better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that neuronavigation improves TMS targeting, and newer computer-vision approaches hold promise, but this trackerless method is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterchev, Angel V — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Peterchev, Angel V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Noninvasive brain stimulation to reduce hyperexcitability in a Fragile X rat model
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Accurate, low-cost trackerless neuronavigation for TMS
A low-cost, trackerless computer-vision system to guide transcranial magnetic stimulation by precisely locating brain targets on each patient.
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This project tests whether a noninvasive brain treatment (rTMS) can adjust brain activity linked to understanding others’ thoughts and feelings in adults with autism.
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Closed-loop prefrontal TMS guided by real-time EEG in primates
A study tests a brain-guided TMS approach that uses real-time EEG to tailor stimulation to the prefrontal cortex, starting in non-human primates with the goal of improving future treatments for psychiatric disorders.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.