WIP Special

Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound brain stimulation (TUS) in cost-benefit decisions and confidence judgements

Presented by Maja Friedemann 

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the causal role of the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) in cognitive processes associated with mood disorders using transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS). The pgACC has been implicated in pessimistic decision-making, motivation, and decision confidence — processes frequently disrupted in mood disorders. While previous research studying the role of the pgACC has relied on correlational studies or animal models, TUS offers a unique opportunity to directly manipulate deep brain structures in humans.

Participants will participate in four sessions: an initial 3T MRI session to acquire structural scans for precise TUS targeting, followed by three TUS sessions. These sessions will target the pgACC, a control region in the insular cortex, and a sham condition. Offline TUS will be administered using a theta-burst protocol prior to participants engaging in behavioural tasks designed to assess decision-making in reward-effort scenarios and confidence judgments. Additionally, EEG will be recorded to examine the neural effects of pgACC modulation.
By examining the effects of pgACC modulation on task performance and EEG readouts, this research seeks to establish causal links between pgACC activity and cognitive impairments associated with mood disorders. The findings may provide critical insights into the neural underpinnings of psychiatric conditions, potentially informing future therapeutic interventions.