Study Spotlight: Music Supercharges Brain Stimulation

Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute is exploring music’s potential to enhance transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for brain research and therapy.

Researchers discovered that syncing TMS pulses to musical rhythms can significantly amplify their effects on motor activity in participants.

“Because there's this really strong connection to movement, music can engage motor pathways in the brain. If you're listening to a certain kind of rhythm, there are going to be very specific times at which your brain is most ready for the TMS effect." Jessica Ross, Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Koret Human Neurosciences Community Laboratory Director Milena Kaestner (left) and study author Corey Keller (right). | Andrew Brodhead