Temporal Interference Stimulation for Disorders of Consciousness

This study aims to investigate whether a new non-invasive brain stimulation technique, called temporal interference stimulation, can influence brain activity and potentially improve signs of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries and disorders of consciousness. After a severe brain injury, some patients may remain unable to communicate or interact normally with their environment because of impaired consciousness. Current treatment options to promote recovery are limited. Temporal interference stimulation is a new technique that uses mild electrical currents applied through electrodes placed on the scalp to target specific areas deep inside the brain without surgery. In this study, we will use brain imaging data to personalize the stimulation and target a region involved in consciousness regulation, called the thalamus. The effects of the stimulation will be evaluated using brain activity recordings, heart monitoring, and clinical assessments of consciousness and responses to stimulation. The goal of this research is to determine whether temporal interference stimulation is safe and whether it can produce measurable changes in brain function and behavior in patients with disorders of consciousness. The results may help guide future research on new treatments for recovery after severe brain injury.