Researchers at NYU Langone Health announced on Mar. 18 that a new method using radio waves, called Transcranial Radio Frequency Stimulation (TRFS), can change brain cell activity in ways that could help treat neurological conditions. The study, published in the journal Brain Stimulation, found that TRFS offers a noninvasive alternative to surgery and medications, which often fail as patients develop resistance.
The significance of this research lies in its potential to address the needs of people with brain disorders. According to senior study author György Buzsáki, MD, PhD, "Our study is the first to demonstrate in live mice the potential of the technology to be highly effective for adjusting neural activity." Buzsáki also said, "The need for better, noninvasive techniques is becoming ever more urgent, with 1 in 3 people globally affected by some form of brain disorder during their lifetime."
The researchers used customized antennae made from coaxial cables to deliver high-frequency signals directly to deep-brain locations in mice. This approach allowed them to heat targeted brain tissue and influence how charged ions flow in and out of cells. The team found that TRFS could either suppress or encourage signaling activity depending on how it was applied. In one mode—called "pristine mode"—the technique had a strong effect on inhibitory interneurons, which are important for controlling brain signals related to actions and thoughts.
In another approach called "RF-genetics mode," researchers combined RF energy with genetic engineering so certain cells became more sensitive to heat. This allowed them to increase neural activity when local temperatures rose above a specific threshold. These findings suggest possible applications for treating conditions such as depression, chronic pain, anxiety disorders, Parkinson's disease, autism, epilepsy, and addiction.
Lead study author Omid Yaghmazadeh, PhD said: "Interestingly, the widespread use of cell phones, and fears that they might affect brain function, resulted in a massive body of research literature on the effect of RF energy on the brain." Yaghmazadeh added: "Our previous work showed that everyday RF doses do not in fact affect neuronal activity, and now we show that higher, yet safe, doses can be harnessed for neuromodulation."
Other contributors included Jiangyang Zhang, PhD; Leeor Alon, PhD; Zakia Ben Youss; and Tanzil M. Arefin, PhD. The research was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
