Nightmares are distressing and linked to psychiatric problems, but not everyone with high negative affect experiences them. This survey of 846 UK adults found that, beyond negative affect, higher levels of worry, depersonalisation, hallucinatory experiences, paranoia, and longer sleep duration were associated with nightmare occurrence (odds ratios 1.25–1.45). Nightmare severity was associated with worry, depersonalisation, hallucinatory experiences, and paranoia. Alcohol use and physical activity were not associated with nightmares. The findings suggest several potential predictors of nightmares that need testing in future causal studies.
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) can stimulate the human brain non-invasively with millimeter-scale precision, targeting both cortical and deep structures. This new tool offers a potential breakthrough for studying the neural correlates of conscious perception, overcoming the coarse spatial resolution and limited depth of traditional electrical or magnetic stimulation. Because tFUS requires extensive preparation and regulatory approvals, careful experimental planning is essential. The authors provide a roadmap for using tFUS in humans to explore the neural substrate of conscious perception.
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) can stimulate the human brain non-invasively through the skull with millimeter-scale spatial resolution, targeting both cortical and deep brain structures. This emerging tool offers a promising method for investigating the neural basis of conscious perception, overcoming the coarse spatial resolution of traditional electrical or magnetic stimulation. The authors provide a roadmap for using tFUS in humans to explore the neural substrate of conscious perception, emphasizing the need for careful experimental planning due to extensive preparation and regulatory approvals.