Wearable Patch Uses Ultrasound to Target REM Sleep Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a wearable patch called NEUSLeeP that uses focused ultrasound combined with embedded electrodes to target deep brain regions associated with REM sleep. The device, published in Nature Mental Health, aims to address sleep disorders by influencing the brain’s ability to transition into REM sleep, a critical phase for emotional processing, stress regulation, and cognitive restoration. The study involved 28 participants, including both healthy sleepers and individuals with sleep difficulties, and demonstrated a 43-minute reduction in the time required to enter REM sleep. The technology operates as a closed-loop system, meaning it continuously monitors brain activity through embedded electrodes and adjusts ultrasound pulses in real time. Unlike traditional deep-brain stimulation, which requires surgical implantation and a neurosurgeon, NEUSLeeP is noninvasive. It targets the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a pea-sized brain structure involved in movement and arousal, which is typically difficult to access without invasive procedures. The patch sends ultrasound waves to this region while simultaneously capturing EEG data to fine-tune its stimulation. This adaptive approach is likened to “adaptive cruise control for the sleeping brain.” The study’s findings suggest that the patch could have broader implications beyond insomnia. Researchers note that disrupted REM sleep is linked to conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic stress, where the phase is not just a symptom but potentially a contributing factor.#university_of_texas_at_austin #neusleep #subthalamic_nucleus #nature_mental_health #discovery_to_impact
