Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurology have developed a minimally invasive, recording-guided closed-loop neuromodulation device enabling transnasal access to olfactory-cleft pathways for targeted modulation of deep limbic brain circuits.
Background:
The olfactory bulb provides direct anatomical and functional pathways to the limbic system, a key network involved in regulating emotion, memory, and cognitive state. Neuromodulation delivered through the olfactory cleft offers a potential route for accessing deep brain circuits associated with affective and behavioral regulation, enabling both diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. Targeting the olfactory system offers numerous neuropsychiatric and behavioral benefits, including regulation of sleep disorders, cognitive and mood modulation, and management of neurological conditions. Existing neuromodulation modalities, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), are limited by invasive craniotomy requirements or restricted, superficial stimulation depth and spatial specificity. These approaches also carry significant drawbacks such as surgical risk, device-related complications, cost inefficiencies, and limited ability to dynamically target deep limbic and prefrontal structures. Due to these limitations, There remains an unmet need for a minimally invasive neuromodulation approach capable of selectively and adaptively accessing ventral limbic and prefrontal circuits with improved precision and safety.
Innovation:
Professor Kevin Bickart and his research team have developed a device and method for recording-guided neuromodulation via transnasal access to the olfactory cleft, enabling a minimally invasive route to directly interface with deep limbic circuitry. The device supports adaptive modulation of the olfactory bulb and connected ventral and medial brain regions. The innovation leverages a closed-loop framework that can incorporate real-time, delayed, or asynchronously processed neural recordings. By integrating an expandable mesh anchoring structure, the system prevents device migration and ensures stable long-term positioning. Its distal segment is composed of a flexible, conformal material that closely adapts to the olfactory mucosa maintaining consistent contact with stimulation and recording interfaces. This design increases effective surface contact for improved signal fidelity and energy transfer while minimizing tissue disruption. In addition, the device includes built-in electrophysiological verification for placement confirmation using multi-modal biosignals prior to and during operation, enabling precise targeting and functional validation. This approach establishes a scalable, low-risk pathway for high-precision neuromodulation of deep brain circuits that are currently lacking in the state-of-the-art.
Potential Applications:
● Neuropsychiatric disorder treatment and modulation
○ Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, addiction
● Neurological disorder therapy and intervention
○ Epilepsy, TBI recovery, movement disorders, autonomic dysfunction
● Cognitive, emotional, and sensory state modulation
○ Olfactory rehabilitation
○ Memory enhancement
○ Attention modulation
○ Learning optimization
● Sleep regulation and consciousness research
● Neuroscience research and brain circuit mapping
○ Respiratory-brain coupling research
○ Neural oscillation research
● Psychological/behavioral modulation
○ Pain, arousal regulation, stress response
○ Appetite and metabolic regulation
Advantages:
● Minimally invasive transnasal access
● Closed-loop, adaptive neuromodulation platform
● Stable device fixation with reduced migration risk
● High-fidelity recording and stimulation interface
● Targeted access to deep limbic and prefrontal circuits
○ Expanded targets to OFC, cingulate, amygdala, hippocampus and basal forebrain
● Integration of multimodal biosignals
○ Airflow, EEG, heart rate, skin conductance, posture, etc.
State of Development:
A provisional patent application has been filed.
Related Publications:
No public disclosures.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2026-077
Lead Inventors:
Kevin Bickart, Mahmoud Omidbeigi