Revolutionary Study Shows Potential for Enhancing Cognitive Control with Electrical Brain Stimulation
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cognitive enhancement. By combining artificial intelligence with targeted electrical brain stimulation, they have found a way to improve specific human brain functions related to self-control and mental flexibility.
The study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, involved 12 patients undergoing brain surgery for epilepsy. During the procedure, hundreds of tiny electrodes were placed throughout the brain to record its activity and identify where seizures originate. The researchers found that by stimulating a specific brain region called the internal capsule with small amounts of electrical energy, they were able to enhance patients’ mental function related to cognitive control.
Dr. Alik Widge, one of the lead researchers on the study, explained the significance of their findings. “This could be a totally new approach in treating mental illness. Instead of trying to suppress symptoms, we could give patients a tool that lets them take control of their own minds. We could put them back in the driver’s seat and let them feel a new sense of agency.”
The team developed algorithms to track patients’ cognitive control abilities after stimulation, both from their actions and directly from their brain activity. The closed-loop system provided boosts of stimulation whenever the patients were struggling with cognitive tasks. This method was found to be twice as effective as stimulating at random times.
In addition to improving cognitive control, the researchers also observed a positive impact on patients with anxiety. When given the cognitive-enhancing stimulation, they reported a decrease in anxiety symptoms, as they were better able to shift their thoughts away from distressing thoughts and focus on what they wanted.
The research team is now preparing for clinical trials to further demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach. Dr. Darin Dougherty, another member of the research team, expressed optimism about the potential impact of their findings on treatment-resistant patients with mental illnesses.
With the target for improving cognitive control already approved by the FDA for deep brain stimulation, the translation of this research into clinical practice could be rapid. The researchers hope that their work will pave the way for a new approach to treating mental illness, giving patients a tool to take control of their own minds and improve their quality of life.