Author | Lightnews

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 29

One of my favorite findings! We discovered how to literally make people more creative using brain stimulation!
10Hz electrical stimulation to the frontal cortex increased creativity scores by 7.4% in the gold-standard creativity test. 🧵👇

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 28

We discovered why brain stimulation works for some people but not others! The secret isn't the stimulation itself—it's whether your brain is "tuned in" to the right frequency.
This could revolutionize mental health treatment 🧵👇

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 27

We discovered that anesthesia doesn't just "turn off" the brain—it reveals how different brain regions have completely different operating systems!
🧵👇

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 26

Continuing in the series - next up a paper that was about 10 years ahead of its time - a bit of a hidden gem - worth a first/another look. A detailed investigation of how dual-site stimulation synchronizes networks. Lots of state dynamics and interesting mechanisms of t#ACS.

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 21

An almost typical day at work...

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

The End. Paper: Schmidt, Chew, Bennett, Hammad & Fröhlich, Differential effects of cholinergic and noradrenergic neuromodulation on spontaneous cortical network dynamics, Neuropharmacology (2013) HUGE thank you to all the trainees and collaborators on this project!

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 Meanwhile, ACh's pronounced but transient effects align with its role in expected uncertainty and attentional processing - temporarily enhancing signal processing without permanent circuit changes. #AttentionNetworks

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 Our findings help explain why NE is often associated with unexpected uncertainty and novel environmental stimuli - its plasticity-inducing effects help neural circuits adapt to important changes in the environment. #CognitiveNeuroscience

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 What we found particularly intriguing is that NE induced this plasticity without any artificial stimulation - just spontaneous network activity was sufficient to trigger lasting changes in circuit organization! #SynapticPlasticity

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 Using receptor-specific pharmacology, we determined that CCh's effects were primarily mediated by muscarinic M1 receptors, while NE's long-lasting effects were largely dependent on β-adrenergic receptors. #ReceptorPharmacology

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 In contrast, norepinephrine (NE) produced more complex, bidirectional effects - some neurons increased firing while others decreased. More importantly, NE's effects outlasted its presence, especially in deep cortical layers (V-VI)! #NeuralPlasticity

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 We found that Carbachol (CCh, acetylcholine agonist) caused pronounced but reversible increases in firing rates across multiple cortical layers. The effect was concentration-dependent and disappeared after washout. #Neuromodulation

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

🧠 Using multielectrode in vitro arrays, we measured how these neuromodulators affect network activity across different concentrations (1-100μM). Both increase spontaneous firing but with key differences in their temporal profiles! #Neuropharmacology

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

First up, I am excited to share with you our very first paper that investigated how acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) differently affect spontaneous cortical activity. These neuromodulators are critical for attention, learning, and behavioral state regulation! #Neuroscience

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 20

Leading up to my 15 year anniversary at UNC next year, I decided to share with you our scientific journey from neuronal mechanisms to novel treatments in the @FrohlichLab

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 10

Your brain doesn't completely shut off these slow waves during wakefulness—they're just much smaller and more localized. When you're tired or not engaged, these waves can increase even while you're awake! #BrainStates

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 9

As we age, our deep sleep (and those important slow waves) tends to decrease. This may partly explain age-related memory issues. Protecting your sleep quality could be one key to maintaining cognitive health! #AgingBrain #SleepHealth

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 8

Sleep isn't just for humans! Every animal with a complex brain needs it, and they all show these slow brain waves during deep sleep. Evolution has preserved this feature for a reason—it's essential for brain health and function! #ComparativeNeuroscience

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 8

Fascinating brain fact: Neurons in your thalamus (deep in your brain) and cortex (outer layer) talk to each other during sleep, creating different rhythms. This "thalamocortical dialogue" orchestrates your sleep cycles and helps process memories. #NeuroscientistLife

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 8

Resisted napping for a long time, now discovering the wisdom of my body. Accepting my yellow belt in napping!

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 7

Just like ocean waves, slow waves in your sleeping brain actually travel! They typically start in frontal regions and move toward the back of your brain. Each person has their own unique pattern of wave origin and direction. #NeuralWaves

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 7

Ever notice how a power nap can improve your memory? During deep sleep, your brain replays neural activity patterns from your day, strengthening important connections and weakening less useful ones. It's like your brain's natural memory optimization! #BrainFacts #EEG

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Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 6

Brain fact: Your cortex alternates between "Up states" (neurons active and firing) and "Down states" (neurons quiet) during deep sleep. This slow rhythm is like your brain's nighttime heartbeat, occurring about once per second. #NeuroscienceFacts

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 6

Your brain cycles through different states during sleep: N1 (drowsy), N2 (light sleep), N3 (deep sleep), and REM. Each has a unique electrical signature that scientists can see on an EEG. Brain waves get progressively slower as you enter deeper sleep! #SleepCycles

Flavio Frohlich PhD @flaviofrohlich.bsky.social · May 5

Did you know your brain produces slow waves (<4 Hz) during deep sleep? These aren't just random noise—they're crucial for memory consolidation and allowing your brain to properly "file away" what you learned during the day! #Neuroscience #SleepScience

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