In research published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers engaged a pair of macaque monkeys in a visual test designed to investigate basic decision making.

These monkeys are shown to a target in the middle of the screen before being shown the second and third targets on the left and right of the screen respectively.

Normally, long-tailed macaque and other monkeys glare at the target appearing first, but the researchers were able to change the direction by directing low-intensity ultrasound waves into the brain area that controls eye movement. these two monkeys.

The researchers wrote, “The short, low-intensity ultrasound pulses that are transmitted noninvasively into specific areas of the monkey’s brain influence their decision on target selection. These effects are quite large, resulting in a trend of choice compared to the default balance ratio of 2: 1 ”.

Each ultrasonic pulse lasts for 300 milliseconds, and is applied just before the first secondary target appears on the sides of the screen. These impulses cause brain tissue to vibrate and nerve cells to function, changing the sequence of nerve cells in the targeted brain area.

When the researchers directed ultrasonic waves into the monkey’s motor cortex, which does not control their eye movement or decision making, the visual choices of the two monkeys were not affected.

Although more technological testing and its potential are needed, scientists calculate that ultrasonic brain control can even be used to study and treat disorders. decision-making disorders in humans - such as addiction.

The team thinks there is an attractive opportunity to apply a neuronal adjustment method to non-invasive adjustment behavior in humans, with the first applications to identify a set of interconnected circuits. related to a certain disorder in a certain subject.