Meeting abstract
https://doi.org/10.21857/ypn4oc4189
Neurotechnology in Psychiatry
Neven Henigsberg
; Medical School University of Zagreb, Croatian Institute for Brain Research and Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Neurotechnology is a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and medicine,
offering interconnected approaches to understanding and treating psychiatric disorders.
Traditionally, key categories include neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and brain-computer interfaces
(BCIs). Together, these technologies offer complementary insights: neuroimaging to observe brain patterns
and activation of brain patterns in psychiatric disorders, neuromodulation to intervene in brain
activity, and BCIs to interface with neural signals either in a one-way, or bi-directionally.
MRI-based techniques like fMRI, DTI and MR spectroscopy, or others like fNIRS, are employed to
non-invasively visualize brain structure or function to identify neural correlates of mental disorders.
Neuromodulation involves technologies that directly alter brain activity – for example, transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagal stimulation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), tDCS and tACS
(transcranial direct/alternate current stimulation). These techniques use magnetic or electrical stimuli
to influence brain areas or circuits linked to mood, cognition, or behavior. BCIs provide a direct communication
link between the brain and external devices and were initially developed for neurological
conditions (e.g. paralysis) but are increasingly relevant to cognitive enhancement and other psychiatric
applications.
Clinical Applications
Neurotechnology is transforming both the understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
In depression, repetitive TMS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is an established, FDAapproved
treatment for patients who do not respond to medications. It is considered safe and effective,
with about 50–70% of treatment-resistant cases achieving significant symptom relief, and considerably
higher remission rates are reported when MRI-guided neuronavigation is used to personalize stimulation
targets. Brain stimulation, an invasive neuromodulation mainly used in movement disorders, has
been experimented in severe depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Notably, a recent closedloop
DBS approach – in which an implanted device delivers stimulation only when a neural signature
of depression is detected – produced rapid and sustained remission in a patient with depression. This
individualized, on-demand neuromodulation highlights the promise of precision neurotechnologies for
psychiatry and the closer integration between the neuroradiology, the psychiatry and the neurosurgery.
MRI-based neuroimaging genomics has revealed subtle but widespread brain alterations, as in schizophrenia
and autism, reflecting the disorders’ complex polygenic risk architecture. Such insights may
guide biomarker development and early diagnosis in the future. In PTSD, neuroimaging consistently
finds hyperactivity in fear circuits (e.g. amygdala) and hypoactivity in prefrontal regulatory regions,
informing neuromodulation trials targeting those networks. Early studies with TMS in PTSD and
anxiety suggest potential benefits, though results are mixed and further trials are ongoing.
Emerging therapies include neurofeedback and neurobiofeedback, a BCI-related technique where
patients learn to modulate their own brain activity (via real-time EEG, preferably fNIRS or, theoretically,
fMRI feedback), is being explored to alleviate PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety, capitalizing on
neuroplasticity. Meanwhile, other BCIs are mostly in research phases for neurological impairment, but
their rapid progress indicates their potential use in psychiatric use-cases. A recent breakthrough BCI
enabled a person with paralysis to generate fluent speech by decoding cortical activity into words, demonstrating
that high-bandwidth decoding of complex mental content is feasible. In principle, similar interfaces might one day assist patients with psychiatric conditions. Evidence Base and Limitations:
Some neurotechnologies are already backed by robust clinical trials (e.g. TMS for depression), whereas
others remain experimental. Neuromodulation trials in disorders like schizophrenia and PTSD have
had variable outcomes, underscoring that what works for one condition (or individual) may not readily
translate to others. Also, many neuroimaging findings in psychiatry have not yet yielded actionable
clinical tools, partly due to small effect sizes and heterogeneity. It is increasingly recognized that psychiatric
illnesses involve distributed brain network dysfunctions rather than single lesions, which means
interventions may need to be personalized and circuit-specific.
The trajectory of neurotechnology in psychiatry is clearly toward more personalized, objective, and
biologically grounded care, complementing traditional pharmacotherapy with novel brain-based interventions.
Keywords
neurotechnology, neuroimaging, neuromodulation
Hrčak ID:
333476
URI
Publication date:
25.6.2025.
Visits: 472 *