Thursday, 27 February 2025
A new study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that patients who need treatment for neurological and mental health disorders, would favour non-invasive neuromodulation interventions over current interventions such as pharmaceutical drugs.
Neuromodulation is the alteration of nerve activity in the brain through targeted delivery of different stimulus such as electrical stimulation of chemical agents. Researchers are currently developing new brain interventions using neuromodulation, for neurological and mental health disorders – such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia as well as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
The new study, which is published in Scientific Reports, looked at the public perception of neuromodulation. In an online survey with almost 800 participants, novel neuromodulation interventions were viewed positively, often more highly ranked than current interventions.
The research was led by Dr Marcus Kaiser from the School of Medicine at the University. He said: “Providing accurate information to patients significantly improved positive perception of neuromodulation. This emphasises the importance of education and awareness, in understanding new medical interventions, to foster informed decision making, positive perception of new neuromodulation techniques, and increase adherence to treatment.”
WHO estimate that globally, 322 million people live with depression, and 264 million with anxiety, and numbers are increasing. Developing new successful treatments is therefore imperative, to benefit patients, their families, and wider society, including social and economic development.
While academia and industry are working on improved and novel interventions, what kind of interventions would patients or currently healthy people prefer? Diagnosed patients are often faced with no alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. However, for example, 50% of patients with major depressive disorders do not adhere to medication. Therefore, there is increasing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation as an alternative, finding that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, for example is a safe procedure in patients with depression. However, how are emerging technologies, such as non-invasive focused ultrasound stimulation perceived?
In the study, supported by the EPSRC and linked to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and the Institute of Mental Health, Dr Cyril Atkinson-Clement from the School of Medicine asked a large sample of participants their opinion of neuromodulation, before and after being given information.
Participants were provided with details, including advantages and disadvantages, of five different technologies inducing change in brain function. These were pharmaceutical drugs or brain implants as well as non-invasive ultrasound, magnetic, and electrical stimulations. Participants were also asked to rank these in order of preference.
They found ultrasound stimulation was the highest rated option, regarded the safest and effective. Pharmaceutical drugs were viewed as a middle-choice option, largely due to feelings of insecurity around their safety, effectiveness and side effects.
It’s part of a future where we can use less drugs pumping through our system, causing more side effects, and ending up taking more meds to counteract those. We need to get out of this loop.”
The team found before participants were given information, 81% expressed interest in neuromodulation, and 48% confusion. After reading the information, they found there was a significant increase, with 70% of participants expressing optimism, 62% excitement, and although confusion reduced, some worry remained.
“The possibility of a treatment for the disease with fewer side effects, greater efficacy and longer lifetime than drugs” (Male, diagnosed with a neurological disorder)
Dr Kaiser adds: “Our study provides valuable insights into the priorities and preferences of current and potential future treatments, finding a preference for non-invasive neuromodulation. There is a clear opening for government and industry stakeholders to prioritise the development and endorsement of safe, non-invasive brain stimulation treatments.”
The full study can be found here
Story credits
Funding - This study was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/W004488/1, EP/X01925X/1, and EP/W035057/1) and the neuromod+ neurotechnology network. Marcus Kaiser was also supported by the Guangci Professorship Program of Rui Jin Hospital (Shanghai Jiao Tong University).
More information is available from Dr Marcus Kaiser from the School of Medicine at the University at marcus.kaiser@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
More news…