Jeffrey J. Borckardt

Jeffrey J. Borckardt is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). His primary research focuses on neuromodulation techniques, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), and transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), applied to chronic pain management and opioid use reduction. He leads multidisciplinary clinical trials investigating the efficacy of these technologies in diverse populations, including veterans and patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Key research areas include the neurobiological mechanisms of pain, the integration of psychological interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and the development of telehealth-delivered therapies. His work emphasizes improving healthcare access disparities and optimizing interprofessional teamwork. He collaborates across institutions, including the VA and international ENIGMA initiatives, to advance translational neuroscience.

Recent studies explore the synergistic effects of tAN and tDCS with behavioral interventions, pain biomarkers in spine treatments, and real-time fMRI neurofeedback for addiction. His clinical trials often involve double-blind, sham-controlled designs to rigorously evaluate neuromodulation efficacy.

• Institutional Affiliations: MUSC College of Medicine, VA Medical Center
• Research Themes: Neuromodulation, Pain Rehabilitation, Opioid Crisis Mitigation