The effects resembled those of surgical deep brain stimulation, but achieved without any implants or incisions. These results indicate that ultrasound might evolve into a safer, more tailored method for adjusting dysfunctional reward circuits involved in mental health conditions.

Key Facts

• Precise Brain Targeting: Ultrasound noninvasively influenced activity in the nucleus accumbens.
• Enhanced Reward Learning: Participants became more responsive to positive feedback following stimulation.
• Therapeutic Promise: This approach could eventually support treatments for addiction, depression, and eating disorders.

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