Low-intensity ultrasound can change decision-making process in the brain

Summary: A study of macaque monkeys reveals low-intensity ultrasound can both generate and suppress signalling in the brain and modulate normal function. The ultrasonic stimulation alters counterfactual thinking, allowing the ability to decide upon a better alternative in decision-making tasks.

Source: University of Plymouth

Imagine working in your office while the sun is shining outside. Thinking about what you could be doing instead of working is an example of “counterfactual thinking”.

New research in primates has shown for the first time that counterfactual thinking is causally related to a frontal part of the brain, called the anterior cingulate cortex. And scientists have proven that the process can be changed by targeting neurons (nerve cells) in this region using low-intensity ultrasound.

The study was led by Dr Elsa Fouragnan at the University of Plymouth and published Monday 15 April in Nature Neuroscience.

Counterfactual thinking is an important cognitive process by which humans and animals make decisions – not only based on what they are currently experiencing but by comparing their present experience with potential alternatives. In typical circumstances, should these alternatives become available in the near future, one would adaptively switch to them. For example, if the sun was shining while working, one would go out and enjoy the sun as soon as work is done.

If neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex are not working properly, then it would not be possible to switch to alternative options, even when these alternatives are the best available. Scientists believe that this is what happens in some psychiatric conditions where people are stuck in dysfunctional habits.

The study showed for the first time how low-intensity ultrasonic waves can be used to non-invasively, and with pinpoint accuracy, modulate normal brain function – affecting counterfactual thinking and the ability to switch to better alternative.

The research, conducted in macaques monkeys, follows previous work highlighting the safeness of the non-invasive ultrasound technique and its effect on the brain.

In the study, the macaques were tasked with finding a treat from a variety of options. They quickly learned which one was best, but the ‘best’ option was not always available to choose. Thus, they had to keep it in mind for when it became available again.

After showing that the cingulate cortex was linked with remembering which option was best, researchers used low-intensity ultrasound to modulate the activity in this brain region and see its effect on behaviours. When the neurons were stimulated, their counterfactual thinking was impaired.

Dr Fouragnan explained why the findings were so significant and what it could mean for future treatment: “This is a really exciting study for two main reasons – firstly because we discovered that the cingulate cortex is crucial to help switch to better alternatives, and secondly because low-intensity ultrasound can be used to reversibly change brain activity in very precise part of the brain,” she said.

Ultrasound is well known as an imaging tool – in pregnancy, for example – but it can also be used as a therapeutic method, particularly for safely modulating brain activity. This is possible because the mechanical vibrations caused by ultrasonic waves can cause the generation or suppression of electrical signals in the brain, which in turn can be used to restore normal brain function.

This shows the outline of a head and brain
The study showed for the first time how low-intensity ultrasonic waves can be used to non-invasively, and with pinpoint accuracy, modulate normal brain function – affecting counterfactual thinking and the ability to switch to better alternative. The image is adapted from the University of Plymouth news release.

Dr Fouragnan continued: “Ultrasound neurostimulation is an early-stage, non-invasive therapeutic technology that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of patients with mental health conditions by stimulating brain tissues with millimetre accuracy. Presently, neuromodulation techniques do exist for humans, to help people with conditions such as major depression or Parkinson’s. But there are no techniques that have this level of accuracy while remaining non-invasive.

“It’s still early stages and the next stage is for further trials to be conducted in humans, but the potential is very exciting.”

Funding: Funded by The Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council.

About this neuroscience research article

Source:
University of Plymouth
Media Contacts:
Leigh Hopper – University of Plymouth
Image Source:
The image is in the public domain.

Original Research: Closed access
“The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioural change”. Elsa F. Fouragnan, Bolton K. H. Chau, Davide Folloni, Nils Kolling, Lennart Verhagen, Miriam Klein-Flügge, Lev Tankelevitch, Georgios K. Papageorgiou, Jean-Francois Aubry, Jerome Sallet & Matthew F. S. Rushworth Nature Neuroscience 09 APR 2019 doi:10.1038/s41593-019-0375-6

Abstract

The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioural change

The neural mechanisms mediating sensory-guided decision-making have received considerable attention, but animals often pursue behaviors for which there is currently no sensory evidence. Such behaviors are guided by internal representations of choice values that have to be maintained even when these choices are unavailable. We investigated how four macaque monkeys maintained representations of the value of counterfactual choices—choices that could not be taken at the current moment but which could be taken in the future. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found two different patterns of activity co-varying with values of counterfactual choices in a circuit spanning the hippocampus, the anterior lateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex. Anterior cingulate cortex activity also reflected whether the internal value representations would be translated into actual behavioral change. To establish the causal importance of the anterior cingulate cortex for this translation process, we used a novel technique, transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation, to reversibly disrupt anterior cingulate cortex activity.

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