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Credit: Huiliang \u201cEvan\u201d Wang<\/p>\nIn a sleep management breakthrough, a University of Texas at Austin-led team of researchers has developed a noninvasive patch that boosts REM sleep in real-world trials without surgery or medication. The technology, called NEUSLeeP, is a soft, wearable device that uses gentle ultrasound waves and electrodes to stimulate deep brain regions and monitor brain activity in real time.<\/p>\n
Credit: Huiliang \u201cEvan\u201d Wang<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time we\u2019ve been able to noninvasively target deep brain regions involved in REM sleep, while simultaneously monitoring brain activity,\u201d said Kai Wing \u201cKevin\u201d Tang, a recent UT biomedical engineering Ph.D. graduate who led the research effort. \u201cOur skin-attached NEUSLeeP patch opens up new possibilities for understanding sleep and treating sleep disorders in home settings,\u201d added Huiliang \u201cEvan\u201d Wang, assistant professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering\u2019s Department of Biomedical Engineering, who supervised Tang\u2019s work and served as the principal investigator (PI) directing the overall project.<\/p>\n
In a study of 28 people, published in Nature Communications<\/a>, the patch helped participants reach REM sleep 43 minutes faster and stay in it about 16 minutes longer on average. The effect held for both healthy sleepers and people with some sleep issues. The participants also said the patch was comfortable and safe, with minimal adverse effects.<\/p>\n The study also found that NEUSLeeP\u2019s stimulation improved heart rate variability \u2014 a marker of healthy stress response \u2014 in healthy participants. Brain scans showed changes in emotional brain circuits, suggesting potential benefits for mood and resilience.<\/p>\n \u201cREM sleep is not just about dreaming \u2014 it\u2019s about emotional reset and stress adaptation,\u201d explained Gregory Fonzo, assistant professor in the Dell Medical School\u2019s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and one of the project\u2019s co-PIs. \u201cBy enhancing REM, we may help people better cope with stress and improve their overall well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n Disrupted REM sleep is linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, most treatments for sleep problems, such as medications or behavioral therapy, can have side effects or fail to address the underlying issues influencing REM sleep.<\/p>\n The researchers are planning larger trials to confirm their findings and explore NEUSLeeP\u2019s potential for conditions such as PTSD, depression and chronic insomnia. They also envision the patch being used for at-home sleep monitoring, brain research and even personalized sleep therapies.<\/p>\n \u201cOur vision is a future where patients with mental health disorders can optimize their sleep with a noninvasive and safe treatment,\u201d said Vincent Mysliwiec, M.D., a professor at UT Health San Antonio, a leading expert in sleep disorders, and another co-PI on the project. \u201cThis technology could help millions of people get the restorative sleep they need.\u201d<\/p>\n The researchers are working with UT\u2019s commercialization unit, Discovery to Impact<\/a>, to bring the product to market. They\u2019ve filed a patent application for the technology.<\/p>\n Other team members are William D. Moscoso-Barrera, Mengxia Yu, Mengmeng Yao, Jinmo Jeong, Ilya Pyatnitskiy, Anakaren Romero Lozano, Jiachen Wang, Ju-Chun Hsieh, Tony Sungjin Chae, Daniel Song, Julieta Garcia, Rithvik Mittapalli and Adam Bush of the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Benjamin Baird of the College of Natural Sciences\u2019 Department of Psychology; and Wynn Legon of Virginia Tech\u2019s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_2187-300x225.jpg\")
Credit: Huiliang \u201cEvan\u201d Wang<\/p>\n