Ventral striatum temporal interference brain stimulation enhances the reward-positivity event-related potential and reduces anxiety.
Jonathan S Ryan, Timothy J Mcdermott, Boris Botzanowski, Jessica R Kubert, Samantha A Betters, Aje Oluwagbohunmi, Summer B Frandsen, Travis M Fulton, Adam Williamson, Michael T. Treadway, Negar Fani
Neuroimage July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122101 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects, sham-controlled crossover trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Healthy adults aged 18-36 years |
| Duration | Two stimulation sessions during meditation; pre- and post-stimulation EEG recording |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Deep brain stimulation Electroencephalography Reward Striatum Temporal interference |
| Key findings | Active 8 Hz TI stimulation of the ventral striatum during meditation increased the reward positivity ERP and reduced anxiety compared to sham. |
Abstract
Temporal interference (TI) electrical stimulation is a novel neuromodulation method that can target deep brain structures to enhance the impact of behavioral techniques. We tested the feasibility of TI targeting the ventral striatum (VS) during an emotion regulation practice (breath-focused mindfulness meditation). To assess target engagement, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure amplitude of the reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential (ERP) associated with cortico-striatal reward circuitry. Nineteen healthy adults (age range: 18-36 years) received an MRI scan and two stimulation sessions during meditation: one active 8 Hz TI stimulation and one 0 Hz sham TI. Before and after meditation, they completed a reward task during EEG recording. A significant time by stimulation effect was observed with the RewP win-loss difference (p < .001; ηp2 = .61), but not with an attentional control-related ERP, the Cue-N200 (p = .93). Active TI, but not sham, led to a RewP increase from pre- to post-stimulation, with evidence of a sustained RewP amplitude increase at visit 2 in participants who received active TI at visit 1 (p < .001). This effect was driven by a win trial increase. Decreased negative emotionality (anxiety) was observed for active TI; emotion changes corresponded with increased RewP amplitude to win trials for only active TI. Findings show support for TI targeting VS in conjunction with meditation to elicit self-reported and neural change in emotion regulation and reward processing. Although replication is warranted, our data indicates relative precision and short-term continued effects of TI on the VS and reward-related functioning.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
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- Find your rhythm and regulate: Breath-synced vibration feedback during breath-focused mindfulness reduces respiration variability in trauma-exposed adults. Journal of Anxiety Disorders June 1, 2025
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- Stimulated brains and meditative minds: A systematic review on combining low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation and meditation in humans. International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP February 3, 2023
- Frontal theta activity and white matter plasticity following mindfulness meditation Current Opinion in Psychology April 18, 2019
and 3 more in the library