The International Neuromodulation SocietyThe Fastest-Growing, Worldwide Multidisciplinary Body Devoted to Building Knowledge of NeuromodulationThe International Neuromodulation Society (INS) is a non-profit group of clinicians, scientists and engineers dedicated to the scientific development and awareness of neuromodulation – the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body. The San Francisco-based INS was formed in 1989 and educates and promotes the field through meetings, its peer-reviewed journal Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, mentorship, and chapter websites. The INS also provides information for patients and produces rolling news briefs about this rapidly evolving field. Donate TodayThe INS Peer-Reviewed JournalThe INS journal Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface has a growing Impact Factor and is indexed in Index Medicus, MEDLINE and Pubmed from its first issue in 1998. Members may log in to the members-only section to read the journal online. The journal also has social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The Neuromodulation Podcast has been developed for our membership to dive into the forefront of today's emerging neuromodulation techniques, insights, and ethical and clinical applications. Join the multidisciplinary collaboration of medical care providers, scientists, and engineers who are part of the global conversation that's shaping the future of healthcare. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. What is Neuromodulation?Medical Professionals can learn about various considerations concerning neuromodulation and clinic contacts. Once your preliminary questions have been answered, please use the Contact Us facility to find out more and to discuss specific objectives. Others may simply wish to join the INS and one of its related chapter societies, please use the Membership Application. Clinical trials that involve a wide range of emerging neuromodulation approaches are listed on our Research page. Neuromodulation clinical trials address symptom control through nerve stimulation in such condition categories as:
Breaking NewsStudy Links rTMS to Brain Connectivity and Gene Expression in Depression April 24,2025 - A study published in Translational Psychiatry found that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with major depressive disorder increased brain connectivity in key regions and was linked to genes involved in neural plasticity and synaptic function. These results indicate that rTMS may alleviate depression by modulating both brain networks and related gene expression. (Source: Springer Nature) Diffusion MRI Biomarkers Forecast Motor Improvement Post-STN-DBS in Parkinson’s April 21, 2025 - A prospective, open-label study found that preserved brain microstructure, as assessed by diffusion MRI, was associated with better motor outcomes following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The findings suggest that neuroimaging biomarkers could enhance preoperative counseling and help predict which patients are most likely to benefit from the intervention. (Source: Springer Nature) Study Links Brain Stimulation to Cognitive Flexibility April 15, 2025 - A study from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can subtly influence decision-making speed and flexibility by targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Anodal stimulation led to quicker decisions, while cathodal stimulation reduced cognitive flexibility, highlighting tDCS’s potential to modulate cognitive processes under controlled conditions. (Source: Neuroscience News) Spinal Cord Stimulation Significantly Improves Mobility in SMA Patients April 10,2025 - A clinical trial using spinal cord stimulation significantly improved leg strength and mobility in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), with participants showing a 180% average increase in leg strength over one month. While the effects faded after the treatment ended, researchers are planning larger trials to explore long-term use and extend the therapy to more severely affected patients. (Source: Columbia University Irving Medical Center) Study Finds Nerve Stimulation Boosts Phobia Treatment by Reducing Fear Responses April 9, 2025 - A new study published in Nature shows that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can enhance exposure therapy by reducing fear responses and behavioral avoidance in individuals with specific phobias. The stimulation appeared to activate fear-extinction pathways in the brain, suggesting taVNS may be a promising, non-invasive adjunct to anxiety disorder treatments. (Source: Nature) New Study Shows Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation May Decrease Pain April 8, 2025 - A multicenter study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia found that add-on M1-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduced pain intensity for up to 8 weeks in women with fibromyalgia, with a 99.4% probability of ≥50% pain reduction at 8 weeks compared to the sham group. (Source: Medscape) To see select neuromodulation news by category, as well as news about the INS in particular, please visit the Newsroom. To see archived news briefs dating back to January 2011, visit the News Archive. Continue Reading News Briefs |