This MRC-funded programme is developing personalised, non-invasive brain stimulation treatments to improve difficult-to-treat symptoms, cognitive function and quality of life across a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions.

Summary of the project and objectives

This programme is developing personalised, non-invasive brain stimulation treatments for people with psychiatric and neurological conditions. It will investigate whether closed-loop neuromodulation, which times stimulation to match a person’s ongoing brain activity, can produce more reliable and longer-lasting improvements than existing approaches.

The research will explore whether closed-loop stimulation can improve symptoms, cognitive abilities such as memory and attention, motor function and overall quality of life. It will focus on conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression and tic disorders.

Why the project is important

Many people with neuropsychiatric conditions do not respond fully to current medications or psychological treatments, while others experience significant side-effects. Difficulties with memory, attention and other cognitive functions can also have a major effect on day-to-day life and are often not adequately addressed by existing treatments.

Non-invasive brain stimulation offers a promising alternative, but current methods do not work consistently for everyone. By adapting stimulation to each person’s brain activity, this programme aims to develop treatments that are more precise, effective and personalised, with fewer side-effects and potentially fewer treatment sessions.

How we plan to achieve this

The programme will combine transcranial electrical stimulation and focused ultrasound stimulation.

The first phase will involve healthy volunteers and will compare closed-loop stimulation with existing open-loop approaches. We will use transcranial magnetic stimulation and focused ultrasound stimulation alongside MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and EEG to understand how stimulation changes brain activity, chemistry and connectivity.

Computer and machine-learning models will then be developed to predict how individuals may respond to treatment. In the second phase, the most promising approaches will be tested in people with psychiatric conditions and tic disorders, examining changes in symptoms, memory, attention, motor function and brain activity.

Patients and members of the public will help shape the research, participant information, outcome measures and plans for future clinical trials.

Funding source

This programme is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Who is supporting the project

The programme is led by researchers at the University of Nottingham, working across the School of Medicine, Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Psychology and Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology.

The programme also draws on expertise from clinicians, neuroscientists, imaging specialists, computational researchers, technology partners and people with lived experience of mental health conditions, through the McPin Foundation.

Further information online

Centre launched to create next generation of neurotechnology to improve brain health | University of Nottingham News

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