Non-invasive brain stimulation is a safe way to temporarily change brain activity. This can be useful to study the function of particular brain regions. When applied repetitively, it can be used therapeutically, to remedy neurological and psychiatric disorders. But where to stimulate? We designed an analysis method that uses meta-analytic data to determine the optimal stimulation location for a particular function

Wischnewski et al., 2021, 2024

For non-invasive brain stimulation to be successful as a clinical tool, its effects should last after the stimulation has ended. In various studies we have indeed shown that this is the case, as various brain stimulation methods induce synaptic plasticity and thus strengthen connections in the brain.

Wischnewski & Schutter 2015, 2016, 2018.
Wischnewski et al, 2019, 2024.

The brain communicates by sending rhythmic signals from one place to another. These are so-called brain oscillations, or brain waves. How fast these waves are can predict behavioral outcomes. Looking at different phases of these waves (peak or trough for example) tells you how active the brain is at a given moment in time. As such, these waves show that the activity of the brain is constantly changing and that we should take into account different brain "states".

Wischnewski et al., 2022, 2024