Using temporal interference non-invasive deep brain stimulation to boost effects of mindfulness meditation in older adolescents

Abstract

This study is testing a novel neuromodulation method capable of directly targeting deep brain regions—temporal interference (TI)—to enhance emotion regulation. Pilot data show that, compared to sham stimulation, TI targeting the ventral striatium (VS) during breath-focused mindfulness (BFM) enhances neural markers of reward processing (measured via electroencephalography, EEG) and reduces anxiety after one session. This suggests that TI may meaningfully augment the emotional experience of BFM. However, there is no data on extent of effects in a pathologically-anxious population, including sustained and ecologically-salient effects (i.e., emotion regulation in the context of daily life). We also have no data on whether targeting the amygdala or VS during BFM may have differential (or proportionally greater) impact on facets of the perception box, i.e., H1) reducing anxious arousal or H2) enhancing positive mood. Aims, Methods: Our goal is to use a within-subjects, cross-over design to target amygdala (N=30) or VS (N=30) with TI during BFM in pathologically-anxious (clinically-significant generalized anxiety disorder) adolescents/early adults age 18-25. We will examine acute and sustained effects of TI during BFM on the perception box, including EEG-derived neural correlates of emotional reactivity, self-reported mood and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using Fabla (EMA app) to assess sustained impact on mood, emotion regulation and mindfulness ability in daily life.