- ICRC - International Clinical Research Center

Neuromodulation Technology

Adam Williamson, Ph.D.

adam.williamson@fnusa.cz

Adam Williamson has been working at the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) since 2023.

He received a bachelors and masters in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University, USA, and obtained his doctorate at the Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany. Previously, he served as research scientist at the Institute of Neuroscience (INS), a part of Inserm at Aix-Marseille University (AMU) in France. He is a recipient of 5 European Research Council (ERC) grants.

His research focuses on in vivo applications of new electronic devices and methods of brain stimulation.

In 2024, he brought his ERC Consolidator grant to the International Clinical Research Center of the Faculty Hospital St. Anne and the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University. The grant specifically focuses on non-invasive deep brain modulation using Temporal Interference to control epileptic brain activity in drug-resistant patients suffering from Epilepsy.

Team Members

Mariane De Araújo e Silva
Mgr. Tereza Franzová
Eva Jouval
Dr. Claudia Lubrano, Ph.D.
Florian Matthieu Missey, Ph.D.
Ing. Josef Skácel
Ondřej Studnička
Ing. Pavel Tomíček
Ing. Jan Trajlinek

Team assistant

Anna Kubová
anna.kubova@fnusa.cz
+420 543 185 496

Research Objectives

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Treatment of Epilepsy Using Neuromodulation with Non-Invasive Temporal Interference Stimulation

Adam Williamson’s team is investigating non-invasive temporal interference stimulation as a novel neuromodulation approach for treating epilepsy. The goal is to develop a viable and effective therapeutic intervention that can reduce seizure frequency and improve the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.

Therapeutic Modulation of Inflammatory Diseases Using Non-Invasive Temporal Interference

Excessive inflammation contributes to the development of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and even cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Through bioelectronic medicine, Adam Williamson’s team aims to explore how electrical impulses can stimulate specific nerves to treat inflammatory conditions.

The team focuses particularly on the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating key pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-resolving mediators, and controlling inflammation. Targeting the vagus nerve typically requires surgical implantation, a procedure associated with several risks. In this project, the team will for the first time apply their non-invasive Temporal Interference technology using skin-mounted electrodes. This technology delivers radio frequencies that enable precise stimulation of the vagus nerve and other peripheral nerves without the need for surgical implantation.

A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Sleep Apnea Using Non-Invasive Temporal Interference of the Hypoglossal Nerve

In this project, Adam Williamson’s team will investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of non-invasive temporal interference stimulation targeting the hypoglossal nerves as an innovative therapeutic intervention for the treatment of sleep apnea. The aim is to develop a non-pharmacological approach that addresses the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and improves respiratory function during sleep.

Selected Publications

Missey, F., Ejneby, M.S., Ngom, I. et al. Obstructive sleep apnea improves with non-invasive hypoglossal nerve stimulation using temporal interference. Bioelectron Med 9, 18 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42234-023-00120-7
Missey et al., “Laser-driven wireless temporal interference using organic electrolytic photocapacitors for chronic deep brain stimulation of the mouse hippocampus”, Advanced Functional Materials (2022), (Williamson*, last author*) IF 19,924, Q1
Botzanowski et al., “Noninvasive Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves using Self-Aligning Temporally-Interfering Electrical Fields”, Advanced Healthcare Materials (2022), (Williamson*, last author*), IF 11,092, Q1
Proctor et al., “Electrophoretic drug delivery for seizure control”, Science Advances, 4, 8 (2018) (Williamson*, co-last author*), IF 12,804, Q1
Acerbo et al., “Focal Non-invasive Deep-brain Stimulation with Temporal Interference for the Suppression of Epileptic Biomarkers”, Frontiers in Neurosciences (2022), (Williamson*, last author*), IF 4,3, Q2
Missey et al., “Orientation of Temporal Interference for Non-Invasive Deep Brain Stimulation in Epilepsy”, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 656 (2021), IF 4,3, Q2