Connect with us

Technology

Zapping the right brain cells: The path to improved stimulation

Published

on

New findings could help scientists develop better ways to treat brain disorders with electrical stimulation.

SEATTLE, June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research by scientists at the Allen Institute’s Brain and Consciousness group and Cedars-Sinai offers an unprecedented look at how neurons respond to ES. Far from being uniform, different types of neurons showed distinct patterns of ‘syncing up’ with electrical fields. These patterns varied depending on the rate at which the ES was delivered.

The findings, published today in Neuron, could help doctors fine tune where, when, and how to apply ES to the brain, said Soo Yeun Lee, Ph.D., the paper’s first author and a Senior Scientist at the Allen Institute. 

“With this study, we now have a much better idea of what types of stimulation work for specific cell classes,” she said. “We can use that knowledge to develop more efficient ways of using electrical stimulation to treat disorders.” 

Using tissue samples from mice and humans, the research team delivered oscillating waves of ES within tens of micrometers of individual neurons. This extraordinary precision enabled an unprecedented look at electrical stimulation’s impact at a single-cell level. They observed strong, cell-class-specific responses. Excitatory neurons synchronized firing with both slow and fast stimulation frequencies, while inhibitory neurons primarily responded to fast frequencies. These class-specific responses are significant, Lee said, because they reveal that adjusting the stimulation frequency allows for the selective targeting of different neurons. That discovery could lead to more precise therapies to modulate neural activity. 

For example, inhibitory neurons that express a protein called parvalbumin are implicated in epilepsy and in cognitive dysfunctions, she noted. This study shows that these cell classes are most responsive to certain frequencies. Future treatments could tailor ES to the most effective frequency, potentially improving outcomes and limiting side effects. 

Beyond its clinical implications, the study also revealed a universal truth about how neurons function, Lee added. Regardless of cell class, cortical areas, or species, neurons exhibit a remarkable ability to synchronize with an external electric field. 

This general property is superimposed on the brain’s dazzling cellular diversity, Lee said—and the newfound understanding of these underlying mechanisms could transform our approach to treating complex brain disorders. 

Research described in this article was supported by award numbers R01NS120300 and R01NS130126 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of NIH and its subsidiary institutes.  

About the Allen Institute
The Allen Institute is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded by philanthropist and visionary, the late Paul G. Allen. The Allen Institute is dedicated to answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience and accelerating research worldwide. The Institute is a recognized leader in large-scale research with a commitment to an open science model. Its research institutes and programs include the Allen Institute for Brain Science, launched in 2003; the Allen Institute for Cell Science, launched in 2014; the Allen Institute for Immunology, launched in 2018; and the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, launched in 2021. In 2016, the Allen Institute expanded its reach with the launch of The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, which identifies pioneers with new ideas to expand the boundaries of knowledge and make the world better. For more information, visit alleninstitute.org.

Media Contact
Peter Kim, Sr. Manager, Media Relations
206-605-9884 | peter.kim@alleninstitute.org 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zapping-the-right-brain-cells-the-path-to-improved-stimulation-302163959.html

SOURCE Allen Institute

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

S&P Global Launches AI-Ready Commodities Data Integrated With Microsoft 365 Copilot

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) today announced the launch of AI agent capabilities that utilize data from the commodity sector, seamlessly integrated with Microsoft 365 Copilot and powered by S&P Global’s Commodity Insights AI Ready Data solution.

The S&P Global AI agent on Microsoft 365 Copilot harnesses the expertise of S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The S&P Global AI agent on Microsoft 365 Copilot harnesses the expertise of S&P Global Commodity Insights, the leading independent provider of information, analysis, data, and benchmark prices for the commodities, energy, and energy transition markets.

The integration of S&P Global Commodity Insights data into Microsoft 365 Copilot requires no coding, simplifying the complexities of AI implementation. The AI Ready Data connector within Microsoft 365 Copilot unlocks access to S&P Global data, empowering users to easily access and surface comprehensive commodities insights within Microsoft 365 Copilot for smart, everyday use.

“For over 160 years, S&P Global has been at the forefront of delivering essential data and intelligence that empowers our clients to make confident decisions,” said Saugata Saha, Chief Enterprise Data Officer at S&P Global and President of S&P Global Market Intelligence. “As markets and client workflows evolve to harness the capabilities of GenAI, S&P Global’s integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot establishes direct access to a wealth of critical information, enhancing productivity and informed decision-making.”

“The combination of S&P Global data and Microsoft 365 Copilot is a powerful example of how S&P Global is focused on advancing the use of AI through our platforms and partnerships. We are elevating the customer experience by offering our clients an innovative way of accessing best-in-class datasets that help them make decisions with confidence and conviction,” said Sally Moore, Chief Client Officer at S&P Global.

“As we look to the future, Microsoft and S&P Global are well-positioned for further innovative solutions in the quickly evolving-AI marketplace,” said Jason Henderson, Corporate Vice President, Office 365 Product Management at Microsoft. “This collaboration with S&P Global simplifies access to comprehensive commodities data and opens up new opportunities for our customers to make informed and efficient decisions, right inside the Microsoft 365 Copilot tool.”

The S&P Global Commodity Insights AI Ready Data dataset encompasses a comprehensive array of textual content across publications produced by in-house editorial and research teams, including market reports, news articles, rationales, commentaries, fundamentals analyses and outlooks.

For more information, visit spglobal.com.

Media Contacts:

Orla O’Brien
Global Head of Public Relations, S&P Global
Tel: +1 (857) 407-8559
orla.obrien@spglobal.com

Josh Goldstein
Head of Communications, S&P Global Commodity Insights
Tel: +1 (202) 383-2041
josh.goldstein@spglobal.com

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through sustainability and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world.

We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-global-launches-ai-ready-commodities-data-integrated-with-microsoft-365-copilot-302433637.html

SOURCE S&P Global

Continue Reading

Technology

Appian Appoints Serge Tanjga as Chief Financial Officer

Published

on

By

MCLEAN, Va., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Appian (Nasdaq: APPN) today announced the appointment of Serge Tanjga to the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective as of May 27, 2025. He will report directly to Matt Calkins, CEO of Appian.

Serge Tanjga is announced as Chief Financial Officer, and brings more than 20 years of financial experience to Appian.

Tanjga brings more than 20 years of financial experience to Appian. He was the Senior Vice President of Finance at MongoDB where he led financial planning, strategic finance, business operations, and analytics; and most recently, served as MongoDB’s interim CFO.

Prior to MongoDB, Serge was a Managing Director at Emerging Sovereign Group, a subsidiary of The Carlyle Group. Tanjga also held leadership positions at the Harvard Management Company and 40 North Industries. He received a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar.

About Appian

Appian is The Process Company. We deliver a software platform that helps organizations run better processes that reduce costs, improve customer experiences, and gain a strategic edge. Committed to client success, we serve many of the world’s largest companies across industries. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN]

Follow Appian: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appian-appoints-serge-tanjga-as-chief-financial-officer-302432971.html

SOURCE Appian

Continue Reading

Technology

River Acquires Wind to Build the Super App for Global Citizens

Published

on

By

River, Lunchbox, and Pathao founders join forces to lead the fintech transformation and aim to serve 1 billion worldwide users.

NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — River, a fast-growing U.S.-based technology company redefining global mobility through telecommunications and financial infrastructure, announced the acquisition of Wind, a decentralized payments and banking platform. The move marks a significant milestone in River’s vision to build a single super-app for the world’s 300 million global citizens—people living outside their home countries.

“We’re helping people move money, build wealth, and live with dignity—on one seamless platform.” – Ruhin Hossain, CEO

The newly acquired platform will integrate River’s borderless payments and financial tools directly within its eSIM-powered experience. This positions River as a leader in vertically integrated solutions for global connectivity and digital finance.

A Three-Part Super App: Telco, Payments, Banking

Telecommunications: River’s eSIM service was launched in 2024 and reached $10 million ARR in under 12 months. Today, it serves 30,000+ recurring users and over 100,000 one-time buyers globally.Payments: With the acquisition of Wind, users will now be able to send and receive stablecoin-powered transactions with up to 70% lower fees than legacy providers, hold multicurrency wallets, and pay bills—no bank required.Banking: River’s upcoming roadmap includes fully decentralized banking tools to unlock cross-border users’ income, credit, and savings access.

“This is not just an acquisition—it’s an evolution,” said Hussain M. Elius, founder of Wind and now CTO of River. “We’re building the operating system for a borderless life. No more fragmented tools. No more gatekeepers.”

Elius is the founder and former CEO of Pathao, South Asia’s largest super app with over 5 million users. He joins Ruhin Hossain, CEO of River, and Nabeel Alamgir, River’s lead investor, advisor, and founder of restaurant tech unicorn Lunchbox, to drive River’s fintech expansion.

“This isn’t about hype,” said Chairman Nabeel Alamgir. “It’s about fast money, simple mobile, and earning trust where legacy systems failed.”

A Profitable, Rapidly Scaling Platform
River has achieved profitability and rapid scale without outside investment. The company is currently valued between $100 million and $200 million and expects to grow its user base from six figures to several million by year-end.

Key growth drivers include:

Enterprise partnerships, including a recent deal to onboard over one million migrant workersLicensing in key global markets, including the EU and UAEStrategic focus on diaspora populations, who sent over $800 billion in remittances last year

“We’re closing the loop,” said Ruhin Hossain, CEO of River. “We started by connecting people across borders. Now we’re helping them move money, build wealth, and live with dignity—on one seamless platform.”

About River
River is a U.S.-based technology company building the operating system for global citizens. With eSIM connectivity, decentralized financial tools, and culturally attuned support, River empowers diasporic communities with seamless global access. Licensed in the EU and UAE, River offers a compliant, low-cost financial infrastructure—including multicurrency wallets, stablecoin payments, and next-gen banking solutions—for individuals and enterprises navigating a borderless world.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/river-acquires-wind-to-build-the-super-app-for-global-citizens-302433681.html

SOURCE River

Continue Reading

Trending