Study: New Ultrasound Applications Could Affect Brain Waves and Human Behavior

Most of us are familiar with ultrasound diagnostics used to capture imagery that include blood flowing, organ obstructions, and developing fetuses, all without X-rays. Recently, new medical applications for ultrasound technology have been discovered. They involve the nervous system and brain. But they’re not diagnostic applications. These new therapeutic applications of ultrasound both involve the use of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), more commonly called focused ultrasound. A new study just published looked at using ultrasound technology with macaque monkeys showing how behavior could be altered by focusing on certain areas of the brain. If this technology can be applied to humans, what are the ramifications, both for good and for evil?