University of Texas Researchers Develop Wearable Ultrasound Patch to Enhance REM Sleep
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a wearable ultrasound patch, NEUSLeeP, which has shown promising results in enhancing REM sleep. The study, involving 28 participants, demonstrated that the patch helped users reach REM sleep 43 minutes faster and stay in it 16 minutes longer. The device uses focused ultrasound to stimulate the subthalamic nucleus, a brain region involved in sleep regulation, while simultaneously recording brain activity. Despite these findings, the study did not assess long-term effects or clinical usefulness, and the device is not yet available for purchase. Further development, regulatory review, and larger trials are required to determine its potential for broader applications in consciousness research.