Overcoming Barriers to Focused Brain Stimulation with TIS in Humans
Official title: Overcoming the Barriers to Effective Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation in Humans
Funded at University of Massachusetts Boston · NIH-11369956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to test a noninvasive brain stimulation method called transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) to safely modulate deep brain targets in people with brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $581,915 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133229-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with treatment-resistant neurological or psychiatric conditions who may benefit from noninvasive deep-brain modulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without suitable deep-brain targets or those who cannot undergo noninvasive brain stimulation may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to refine and translate TIS from animals to humans so patients with treatment-resistant brain disorders may benefit. Researchers will first test TIS in non-human primates to identify stimulation parameters that affect deep brain activity and safety. Then they will apply TIS to the motor cortex in humans, measuring motor responses while adjusting the stimulation waveform to understand how the beat pattern drives effects. The team will develop practical protocols that could guide future clinical use of TIS for targeted neuromodulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, TIS could provide a safer, noninvasive way to target deep brain regions and improve symptoms for patients with treatment-resistant brain conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work in animals has demonstrated targeted deep-brain effects; translation to humans is being actively explored and is still advancing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rampersad, Sumientra Marijke — University of Massachusetts Boston
- Study coordinator: Rampersad, Sumientra Marijke
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.