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Jonathan S Ryan

2 papers in the library · publishing 2026

Papers

Ventral striatum temporal interference brain stimulation enhances the reward-positivity event-related potential and reduces anxiety.

Neuroimage July 1, 2026 Jonathan S Ryan, Timothy J Mcdermott, Boris Botzanowski et al.

Temporal interference (TI) electrical stimulation targeting the ventral striatum during mindfulness meditation increased the reward positivity (RewP) brain response and reduced anxiety in healthy adults. Nineteen participants (ages 18-36) received both active 8 Hz TI and sham stimulation across two sessions while meditating. Active TI, but not sham, boosted the RewP difference between winning and losing from before to after meditation, an effect that persisted in those who received active TI first. The RewP increase was driven by larger responses to wins. Anxiety decreased only with active TI, and this emotional change corresponded with greater RewP to wins. The findings suggest TI can engage deep reward circuits during meditation, producing short-term neural and emotional effects.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122101 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Anxiety Deep brain stimulation Electroencephalography Reward +2

Ventral striatum temporal interference brain stimulation enhances the reward positivity event-related potential and reduces anxiety.

Research Square February 9, 2026 Jonathan S Ryan, Timothy J Mcdermott, Boris Botzanowski et al.

Temporal interference (TI) electrical stimulation can target the ventral striatum (VS) during breath-focused mindfulness meditation to alter reward processing and emotionality. In 19 healthy adults aged 18–36, active 8 Hz TI stimulation, compared to sham, increased the reward positivity potential (RewP) in EEG recordings during a reward task, indicating engagement of the VS. The effect was specific to reward processing, not an unrelated brain response. Active TI also reduced negative emotionality, and these emotional changes corresponded with increased RewP amplitude. The findings suggest TI can precisely target deep brain structures and produce short-term continued effects on reward-related functioning when combined with meditation.

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767480/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Anxiety Deep brain stimulation Electroencephalography Reward +2