Corundum Convergence Institute Awards Research Grant for Novel Use of Brain Stimulation Technique to Combat Fatigue and Enhance Brain Function During Sleep

University of Wisconsin–Madison Research Project Will Investigate Whether Transcranial Electrical Stimulation with Temporal Interference Can Improve the Restorative Nature of Napping

BOSTON, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI), a non-profit venture fueling groundbreaking research at the intersection of neuroscience and systems biology, today announced it has awarded a research grant to Giulio Tononi, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness at UW–Madison. The project will explore new methods to combat fatigue and improve the restorative nature of napping, through targeting specific brain areas with a novel brain stimulation technique.

"Napping can help combat fatigue and restore brain function, but this often depends on the type of brain activity that occurs during the nap," said Prof. Giulio Tononi, Principal Investigator. "This study is investigating the use of electrical temporal interference (TI) stimulation for targeted, short-term interventions during napping to enhance these restorative processes. By steering electrical stimulation at optimized frequencies to key brain regions, we aim to determine whether brief interventions can promote activity that helps users feel and function better following napping."

The study aims to test whether electrical energy can enhance the restorative effects of short-duration sleep. It utilizes the novel technique of electrical temporal interference stimulation. This approach is capable of noninvasively targeting precise locations, even deep in the brain, and driving activity of brain cells at specific rates. The study will measure the experience of participants following sleep, as well as their performance on intensive tasks following typical naps and TI-enhanced sessions.

The transcranial electrical stimulation method uses a unique approach that combines high-frequency electric fields to affect specific parts of the brain to counteract brain fatigue. The technique can target deep regions of the brain in order to impact key brain circuits. The anticipation is that TI-enhanced napping may prove more restorative than traditional short sleep events. 

"The biological and social costs of fatigue are a well-known problem with few effective solutions in modern life," said Josh Schulman, PhD, Chief Operating Officer for CCI and Chief Scientist for Corundum Neuroscience. "This study builds on decades of groundbreaking theory and science, from molecular to systems levels, coming from Prof. Tononi's laboratory and research partners. We believe it can help address this problem and lay the groundwork for a wide variety of applications to improve brain function." 

About Corundum Convergence Institute

Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing transformative research at the frontiers of neuroscience, systems biology, and artificial intelligence. By focusing on early-stage innovation in complex, high-impact fields, CCI supports the development of products and technologies leading to paradigm shifts in healthcare, including novel therapeutic approaches to neuro-inspired AI and improved diagnostics for neurodegenerative and metabolic conditions. CCI's multidisciplinary approach fosters convergence across fields, enabling scientists and entrepreneurs to explore the intersections of science, human biology and advanced technology in ways that will fundamentally reshape health and wellbeing. CCI is an independently governed entity created by fellow Corundum Corp venture builders and funds Corundum Neuroscience and Corundum Systems Biology. As part of the greater Corundum network, CCI offers a creative path to translate bold scientific ideas to real-world impact.
For company updates and information, follow Corundum Convergence Institute on LinkedIn or visit https://cci-fund.org/.

About the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is recognized as one of the nation's leading institutions in health sciences education, research, and service. Founded in 1907 as the medical school of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, in 2005 it became the nation's first school to integrate the disciplines of medicine and public health. With a deep commitment to a vision of healthy people and healthy communities, we translate discovery into application and interconnect clinical care, education and research. The school employs more than 5,400 faculty and staff and provides educational opportunities for nearly 2,400 students and postgraduate trainees. Grants awarded to School of Medicine and Public Health principal investigators in fiscal year 2023 totaled $641 million in federal and non-federal awards. Some of the nation's leading researchers, educators, and clinicians are among the faculty, including several National Medal of Science recipients and National Academy of Science honorees. To learn more, visit https://www.med.wisc.edu/.

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SOURCE Corundum Convergence Institute