Join the motivational intervention study in low mood
Volunteer for the Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation study
Help shape a brighter future for those struggling with depression and mood disorders.
Everybody experiences mood changes throughout their life, and in response to situations and experiences. For some, these changes are at an intense level and in some cases can have a negative impact on their life and those around them. Mood disorders such as depression are common, but current therapy methods are limited in efficiently targeting the areas of the brain associated with loss of pleasure or interest in pursuing rewards.
Enter low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), an emerging non-invasive technique targeting specific brain regions associated with rewards processing. This method, known as neuromodulation, can help us to understand how the brain processes these rewards. This pioneering research is taking place at the University of Plymouth.
Your participation as a volunteer is indispensable in advancing the development of this ground-breaking technology.
Join the study
- Have you been experiencing periods of low mood?
- Have you lost interest in things you previously found enjoyable?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, we are looking for you to take part in this study. Participants must be aged 20–50 years and fluent in English.
Please note, participants will not directly benefit from this study but will support future research.
Participating in this study involves...
- Completing an online pre-screening form to check you are suitable for this study
- Attending four face-to-face sessions every week at the Brain Research Imaging Centre (BRIC), Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BU
- During your first session you will answer some questions about your mood and wellbeing, complete tasks on a computer and undergo an MRI brain scan
- During subsequent sessions, you will receive ultrasound brain stimulation and then complete a task inside the brain scanner.
In recognition of your contribution, you will receive...
- Reimbursement for your time of up to £130
- Travel expenses reimbursed up to £10
- A picture of your brain.
Will I personally benefit from ultrasound brain stimulation?
Relief of any individual symptoms is not the purpose of this study, but this will support the gathering of important information in understanding the rewards processing impairments in low mood. Your participation will also facilitate the refinement of methodologies for future investigations in this field.
An ultrasound to change brain activity
Ultrasounds have been used in different clinical settings for decades. Well-known for monitoring pregnancies at low intensity, high-intensity ultrasound, on the other hand, is also used to treat certain tumours in the body.
Transcranial ultrasound stimulation uses ultrasound at low intensity to induce changes in specific areas of the brain with pinpoint accuracy, and induce short-term neuroplastic change.
It is non-invasive, and has been shown to be safe and reversible in more than 200 people that took part in our previous study.
Centre for Therapeutic Ultrasound
One of the most advanced and comprehensive transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) research centres in the world, led by Professor Elsa Fouragnan – a leading authority on brain stimulation research in the UK and recognised internationally.
The only centre that is investigating TUS safety, biomechanics and undertaking clinical studies, our multidisciplinary approach combined with working across several research labs and patient facilities is truly unique.
