Improving brain stimulation techniques for treatment-resistant patients

Overcoming the Barriers to Effective Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation in Humans

NIH-funded research University of Massachusetts Boston · NIH-10884271

This study is exploring a new, gentle way to stimulate the brain that could help people with tough neurological and mental health issues who haven't found relief with regular treatments, starting with tests on monkeys before moving on to humans to see how it affects movement.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Massachusetts Boston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10884271 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new noninvasive brain stimulation method called transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) that aims to help patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders who do not respond to traditional treatments. The approach focuses on stimulating deep brain areas safely and effectively, which has been challenging with existing methods. The study will first test TIS on non-human primates to establish safety and effectiveness, and then apply it to human subjects to measure its impact on motor functions. By refining the stimulation protocols, the research seeks to enhance treatment options for patients with complex brain disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from neurological or psychiatric disorders who have not responded to conventional therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with mild or easily treatable neurological or psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new, effective treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant neurological and psychiatric disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar neuromodulation techniques, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Brain DiseasesBrain Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.