Neuromodulation is the targeted alteration of brain activity, achieved by delivering energy—such as sound waves or electrical impulses—to specific brain circuits. Medications also change how the brain functions, but they act throughout the body and reach the brain broadly. Neuromodulation can be directed at specific regions and circuits, allowing more precise control over where and when the effect occurs.
At the UVA Center for Neuromodulation Research, we study how different neuromodulation approaches can be used to treat psychiatric disorders. Our research focuses on modulating specific brain regions involved in reward, craving, and decision-making—areas that are often dysregulated in people with substance use and psychiatric disorders.
