Just Because You Cannot Hear It….

Brain Stimulation From Ultrasonic Waves Used to Control Monkeys’ Behavior

Macaque Monkey Alone

Remote, brain region-specific control of choice behavior with ultrasonic waves.

Noninvasive pulses of ultrasound waves aimed at specific regions in the brains of macaque monkeys can give some control over the monkeys’ choices, scientists report. These findings indicate that ultrasonic brain stimulation could provide a noninvasive, drug-free avenue to study and potentially treat decision-making disorders such as addiction.

Previous research has shown that low-intensity ultrasound waves applied to rodent brains from outside the head can stimulate neurons — including deep, compacted neurons — and cause corresponding muscle movements elsewhere in the body. However, more recent studies have yielded less definitive results, suggesting the technique may have little or no effect. Moreover, effects on behavior in larger animals and humans have not been well studied.



The scientists rewarded the monkeys differently for the task. Monkey A was rewarded with juice for selecting either target whereas monkey B was only rewarded for selecting the first target. That the researchers controlled the monkeys’ choices regardless of the reward suggests that this technique could be used to study disorders such as addiction, binge eating and compulsive behaviors.


Reference: 20 May 2020, Science Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz4193

from:    https://scitechdaily.com/brain-stimulation-from-ultrasonic-waves-used-to-control-monkeys-behavior/