Improving Brain Stimulation for Psychiatric Conditions
Official title: Validation of Closed-Loop Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a Non-Human Primate Model
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11199010 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to make transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) more effective for people with psychiatric disorders by timing the treatment to individual brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $802,529 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136053-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11199010 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research in non-human primates is designed to benefit future patients with psychiatric disorders who may be candidates for advanced TMS therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a human clinical trial will not directly benefit from this specific non-human primate research.
What this research studies
We are working to improve a brain stimulation treatment called TMS, which helps some people with psychiatric conditions, but doesn't work for everyone. Our approach involves using real-time brain wave recordings (EEG) to guide when TMS is delivered to the prefrontal cortex, a key brain area. This 'closed-loop' method could make TMS more personalized and effective. We are first validating this technique in non-human primates to understand how it affects brain activity at a very detailed level, which will help us bring this improved treatment to people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and personalized TMS treatments for psychiatric disorders, potentially improving outcomes for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: TMS is an established treatment for certain psychiatric conditions, but the closed-loop approach to personalize stimulation timing is a newer area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Opitz, Alexander — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Opitz, Alexander
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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.