Next-Generation Neuromodulation: Engineering Innovative Frontiers for Targeted Brain Stimulation

Neuromodulation is entering a new era, moving beyond broad, high-power stimulation toward targeted, adaptive, and energy-efficient approaches. While conventional non-invasive modalities such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have enabled important advances, they often face limitations in focality, depth selectivity, individualized targeting, and dose control—especially when translating effects reliably across diverse brains, symptoms, and clinical contexts.

This Research Topic focuses on emerging technologies and engineering strategies that aim to deliver high-precision, low-energy, and increasingly non-invasive (or minimally invasive) stimulation. It emphasizes innovations that improve spatial specificity, enable deeper or circuit-level selectivity, reduce off-target effects, and support closed-loop operation through sensing and computational control. By bringing together neuroengineering, innovative materials and biointerfaces, materials science, computational modeling, imaging, and clinical neuroscience, this collection will chart pathways from device concepts to validated, safe, and scalable interventions. In addition to advances in electromagnetic and acoustic stimulation, we also welcome work that uses causal circuit interrogation and control—including optogenetics and chemogenetics—to inform, benchmark, or complement next-generation neuromodulation paradigms.

We welcome submissions covering (but not limited to):
o Novel stimulation modalities enabling improved focality and/or depth selectivity (e.g., temporal interference, focused ultrasound neuromodulation, kilohertz-frequency strategies, emerging electromagnetic designs)
o Engineering innovations for miniaturized, wearable, and energy-efficient neuromodulation devices
o Advances in electrode/coil/transducer design, field shaping, and current steering for targeted circuit engagement
o Innovative materials and neural interfaces: novel conductors and dielectrics, active materials, stretchable/soft bioelectronics, micro- and nanostructured electrodes, injectable or transient electronics, hydrogel-based interfaces, coatings to reduce impedance and inflammation, and materials enabling long-term stability
o Non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches that reduce discomfort and improve usability in real-world settings
o Closed-loop neuromodulation: sensing, biomarkers, control algorithms, adaptive dosing, and real-time safety constraints
o Computational modeling and digital twins: individualized field modeling, optimization pipelines, uncertainty quantification, and validation frameworks
o Multimodal integration with neuroimaging and neurophysiology (EEG/MEG/fMRI/fNIRS/ECoG) for targeting and mechanistic readouts
o Optogenetics and chemogenetics for circuit-specific manipulation, target validation, mechanism discovery, and translational “ground truth” comparisons with device-based stimulation (including hybrid electro-/sono-/magneto-genetic approaches where relevant)
o Safety, standards, reproducibility, and reporting: benchmarking protocols, sham controls, energy deposition, and comparative evaluations versus TMS/tDCS
o Translational and clinical studies demonstrating improved targeting, reduced energy demands, or enhanced tolerability in neurological and psychiatric applications

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Neuromodulation Closed-loop stimulationNon-invasive brain stimulation, Targeted circuit engagement, Temporal interference, Focused ultrasound neuromodulation, Optogenetics, Chemogenetics, Bioelectronic materials, Computational modeling

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.