Alana Lieske has the privilege of managing the Non-invasive Neuromodulation Laboratories (NNL), consisting of three fully-equipped, cutting-edge research facilities available to investigators at the University of Minnesota through support from the MnDRIVE Brain Conditions program to study brain conditions across the lifespan using non-invasive brain stimulation approaches. The NNL also serves the Neuromodulation Research Hub at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), strengthening our connections with experts across disciplines and departments, with a particular emphasis on pediatric populations and neurodevelopment.
Alana was first introduced to the idea of using mechanical means such as electric currents and magnetic fields to measure and modulate brain activity as an undergraduate Psychology student at the U of M. She has found it both fascinating and full of potential to help individuals struggling with neurological and psychiatric conditions. Nearly ten years later, Alana is deeply involved in neuromodulation research efforts at the university and has already witnessed many exciting discoveries and developments in this field. What is most exciting about non-invasive brain stimulation is the breadth of clinical populations, across the lifespan, that may benefit from these approaches. She has the privilege of working with both adults and youth; the joy of collaborating with scientists, listening to personal stories, and sharing the curiosity and excitement during research experiments keeps Alana motivated and deeply grounded in the purpose of our work.
The NNL strives to support clinical research trials that generate evidence on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation and translate those findings into improved clinical methods, including new tools to diagnose and treat disease. Studies conducted in the NNL provide essential evidence that supports Food and Drug Administration approvals, expanding the tools available to clinicians and the treatment options available to patients. While NNL's essential goal is to advance therapies for Minnesotans living with neurological and psychiatric conditions, the clinical innovations supported by research trials in the NNL has the potential to extend far beyond the state of Minnesota.
It is easy to think of brain stimulation in a bubble, or even separate from familiar treatments like medication and therapy. In practice, non-invasive neuromodulation is most often designed to work alongside other evidence-based approaches. While it can offer an option for people who cannot tolerate medications or fully engage in therapy, many experts believe its greatest impact comes from being combined with other interventions. This collaborative work brings together clinicians, researchers, and technical experts, with the NNL providing the facilities, equipment, training, and consultation that make this research possible at the University of Minnesota through support provided by MnDRIVE Brain Conditions.
