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Baek H, Pahk KJ, Kim MJ, Youn I, Kim H. Modulation of Cerebellar Cortical Plasticity Using Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Poststroke Sensorimotor Function Recovery. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2018; 32:777-787. [PMID: 30157709 DOI: 10.1177/1545968318790022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke affects widespread brain regions through interhemispheric connections by influencing bilateral motor activity. Several noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have proved their capacity to compensate the functional loss by manipulating the neural activity of alternative pathways. Over the past few decades, brain stimulation therapies have been tailored within the theoretical framework of modulation of cortical excitability to enhance adaptive plasticity after stroke. OBJECTIVE However, considering the vast difference between animal and human cerebral cortical structures, it is important to approach specific neuronal target starting from the higher order brain structure for human translation. The present study focuses on stimulating the lateral cerebellar nucleus (LCN), which sends major cerebellar output to extensive cortical regions. METHODS In this study, in vivo stroke mouse LCN was exposed to low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). After the LIFU exposure, animals underwent 4 weeks of rehabilitative training. RESULTS During the cerebellar LIFU session, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were generated in both forelimbs accompanying excitatory sonication parameter. LCN stimulation group on day 1 after stroke significantly enhanced sensorimotor recovery compared with the group without stimulation. The recovery has maintained for a 4-week period in 2 behavior tests. Furthermore, we observed a significantly decreased level of brain edema and tissue swelling in the affected hemisphere 3 days after the stroke. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence showing that LIFU-induced cerebellar modulation could be an important strategy for poststroke recovery. A longer follow-up study is, however, necessary in order to fully confirm the effects of LIFU on poststroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchae Baek
- 1 Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,2 Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Joo Pahk
- 1 Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ju Kim
- 1 Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Inchan Youn
- 1 Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,2 Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- 1 Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,2 Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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202
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Low-intensity ultrasound neuromodulation: An overview of mechanisms and emerging human applications. Brain Stimul 2018; 11:1209-1217. [PMID: 30166265 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an emerging need for noninvasive neuromodulation techniques to improve patient outcomes while minimizing adverse events and morbidity. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) is gaining traction as a non-surgical experimental approach of modulating brain activity. Several LIFUS sonication parameters have been found to potentiate neural firing, suppress cortical and epileptic discharges, and alter behavior when delivered to cortical and subcortical mammalian brain regions. OBJECTIVE This review introduces the elements of an effective sonication protocol and summarizes key preclinical studies on LIFUS as a neuromodulation modality. The state of the art in human ultrasound neuromodulation is then comprehensively summarized, and current hypotheses regarding the underlying mechanism of action on neural activity are presented. METHODS Peer-reviewed literature on human ultrasound neuromodulation was obtained by searching several electronic databases. The abstracts of all reports were read and publications which examined low-intensity transcranial ultrasound applied to human subjects were selected for review. RESULTS LIFUS can noninvasively influence human brain activity by suppressing cortical evoked potentials, influencing cortical oscillatory dynamics, and altering outcomes of sensory/motor tasks compared to sham sonication. Proposed mechanisms include cavitation, direct effects on neural ion channels, and plasma membrane deformation. CONCLUSIONS Though optimal sonication paradigms and transcranial delivery methods are still being established, future applications may include non-invasive human brain mapping experiments, and nonsurgical treatments for functional neurological disorders.
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203
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Qiu W, Zhou J, Chen Y, Su M, Li G, Zhao H, Gu X, Meng D, Wang C, Xiao Y, Lam KH, Dai J, Zheng H. A Portable Ultrasound System for Non-Invasive Ultrasonic Neuro-Stimulation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2018; 25:2509-2515. [PMID: 29220326 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2017.2765001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fundamental insights into the function of the neural circuits often follows from the advances in methodologies and tools for neuroscience. Electrode- and optical- based stimulation methods have been used widely for neuro-modulation with high resolution. However, they are suffering from inherent invasive surgical procedure. Ultrasound has been proved as a promising technology for neuro-stimulation in a non-invasive manner. However, no portable ultrasound system has been developed particularly for neuro-stimulation. The utilities used currently are assembled by traditional functional generator, power amplifier, and general transducer, therefore, resulting in lack of flexibility. This paper presents a portable system to achieve ultrasonic neuro-stimulation to satisfy various studies. The system incorporated a high voltage waveform generator and a matching circuit that were optimized for neuro-stimulation. A new switching mode power amplifier was designed and fabricated. The noise generated by the power amplifier was reduced (about 30 dB), and the size and weight were smaller in contrast with commercial equipment. In addition, a miniaturized ultrasound transducer was fabricated using Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3(PMN-PT) 1-3 composite single crystal for the improved ultrasonic performance. The spatial peak temporal average pressure was higher than 250 kPa in the range of 0.5-5 MHz. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to show the performance of the system.
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204
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Bobola MS, Chen L, Ezeokeke CK, Kuznetsova K, Lahti AC, Lou W, Myroniv AN, Schimek NW, Selby ML, Mourad PD. A Review of Recent Advances in Ultrasound, Placed in the Context of Pain Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2018; 22:60. [PMID: 29987680 PMCID: PMC6061208 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-018-0711-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound plays a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, with significant literature reaching back many years, especially with regard to diagnostic ultrasound and its use for guiding needle-based delivery of drugs. Advances in ultrasound over at least the last decade have opened up new areas of inquiry and potential clinical efficacy in the context of pain diagnosis and treatment. Here we offer an overview of the recent literature associated with ultrasound and pain in order to highlight some promising frontiers at the intersection of these two subjects. We focus first on peripheral application of ultrasound, for which there is a relatively rich, though still young, literature. We then move to central application of ultrasound, for which there is little literature but much promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bobola
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lucas Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Katy Kuznetsova
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annamarie C Lahti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Weicheng Lou
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aleksey N Myroniv
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nels W Schimek
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Madison L Selby
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pierre D Mourad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Division of Engineering and Mathematics, University of Washington, Bothell, WA, USA.
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205
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Legon W, Bansal P, Tyshynsky R, Ai L, Mueller JK. Transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation of the human primary motor cortex. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10007. [PMID: 29968768 PMCID: PMC6030101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28320-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound is an emerging form of non-invasive neuromodulation that uses acoustic energy to affect neuronal excitability. The effect of ultrasound on human motor cortical excitability and behavior is currently unknown. We apply ultrasound to the primary motor cortex in humans using a novel simultaneous transcranial ultrasound and magnetic stimulation paradigm that allows for concurrent and concentric ultrasound stimulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This allows for non-invasive inspection of the effect of ultrasound on motor neuronal excitability using the motor evoked potential (MEP). We test the effect of ultrasound on single pulse MEP recruitment curves and paired pulse protocols including short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). In addition, we test the effect of ultrasound to motor cortex on a stimulus response reaction time task. Results show ultrasound inhibits the amplitude of single-pulse MEPs and attenuates intracortical facilitation but does not affect intracortical inhibition. Ultrasound also reduces reaction time on a simple stimulus response task. This is the first report of the effect of ultrasound on human motor cortical excitability and motor behavior and confirms previous results in the somatosensory cortex that ultrasound results in effective neuronal inhibition that confers a performance advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wynn Legon
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
| | - Priya Bansal
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Roman Tyshynsky
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Leo Ai
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jerel K Mueller
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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206
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Szablowski JO, Lee-Gosselin A, Lue B, Malounda D, Shapiro MG. Acoustically targeted chemogenetics for the non-invasive control of neural circuits. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:475-484. [PMID: 30948828 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are often characterized by dysfunctional neural circuits in specific regions of the brain. Existing treatment strategies, including the use of drugs and implantable brain stimulators, aim to modulate the activity of these circuits. However, they are not cell-type-specific, lack spatial targeting or require invasive procedures. Here, we report a cell-type-specific and non-invasive approach based on acoustically targeted chemogenetics that enables the modulation of neural circuits with spatiotemporal specificity. The approach uses ultrasound waves to transiently open the blood-brain barrier and transduce neurons at specific locations in the brain with virally encoded engineered G-protein-coupled receptors. The engineered neurons subsequently respond to systemically administered designer compounds to activate or inhibit their activity. In a mouse model of memory formation, the approach can modify and subsequently activate or inhibit excitatory neurons within the hippocampus, with selective control over individual brain regions. This technology overcomes some of the key limitations associated with conventional brain therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy O Szablowski
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Brian Lue
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Dina Malounda
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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207
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Webb TD, Leung SA, Rosenberg J, Ghanouni P, Dahl JJ, Pelc NJ, Pauly KB. Measurements of the Relationship Between CT Hounsfield Units and Acoustic Velocity and How It Changes With Photon Energy and Reconstruction Method. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2018; 65:1111-1124. [PMID: 29993366 PMCID: PMC6118210 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2018.2827899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound continues to gain traction as a noninvasive treatment option for a variety of pathologies. Focusing ultrasound through the skull can be accomplished by adding a phase correction to each element of a hemispherical transducer array. The phase corrections are determined with acoustic simulations that rely on speed of sound estimates derived from CT scans. While several studies have investigated the relationship between acoustic velocity and CT Hounsfield units (HUs), these studies have largely ignored the impact of X-ray energy, reconstruction method, and reconstruction kernel on the measured HU, and therefore the estimated velocity, and none have measured the relationship directly. In this paper, 91 ex vivo human skull fragments from two skulls are imaged by 80 CT scans with a variety of energies and reconstruction methods. The average HU from each fragment is found for each scan and correlated with the speed of sound measured using a through transmission technique in that fragment. As measured by the -squared value, the results show that CT is able to account for 23%-53% of the variation in velocity in the human skull. Both the X-ray energy and the reconstruction technique significantly alter the -squared value and the linear relationship between HU and speed of sound in bone. Accounting for these variations will lead to more accurate phase corrections and more efficient transmission of acoustic energy through the skull.
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208
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Munoz F, Aurup C, Konofagou EE, Ferrera VP. Modulation of Brain Function and Behavior by Focused Ultrasound. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2018; 5:153-164. [PMID: 30393592 PMCID: PMC6208352 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-018-0156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The past decade has seen rapid growth in the application of focused ultrasound (FUS) as a tool for basic neuroscience research and potential treatment of brain disorders. Here, we review recent developments in our understanding of how FUS can alter brain activity, perception and behavior when applied to the central nervous system, either alone or in combination with circulating agents. RECENT FINDINGS Focused ultrasound in the central nervous system can directly excite or inhibit neuronal activity, as well as affect perception and behavior. Combining FUS with intravenous microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier also affects neural activity and behavior, and the effects may be more sustained than FUS alone. Opening the BBB also allows delivery of drugs that do not cross the intact BBB including viral vectors for gene delivery. SUMMARY While further research is needed to elucidate the biophysical mechanisms, focused ultrasound, alone or in combination with other factors, is rapidly maturing as an effective technology for altering brain activity. Future challenges include refining control over targeting specificity, the volume of affected tissue, cell-type specificity (excitatory or inhibitory), and the duration of neural and behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Munoz
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
| | - Christian Aurup
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
| | - Elisa E Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
| | - Vincent P Ferrera
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 USA
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209
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Prieto ML, Firouzi K, Khuri-Yakub BT, Maduke M. Activation of Piezo1 but Not Na V1.2 Channels by Ultrasound at 43 MHz. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1217-1232. [PMID: 29525457 PMCID: PMC5914535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) can modulate the electrical activity of the excitable tissues, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are not understood at the molecular level or in terms of the physical modality through which US exerts its effects. Here, we report an experimental system that allows for stable patch-clamp recording in the presence of US at 43 MHz, a frequency known to stimulate neural activity. We describe the effects of US on two ion channels proposed to be involved in the response of excitable cells to US: the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel and the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.2. Our patch-clamp recordings, together with finite-element simulations of acoustic field parameters indicate that Piezo1 channels are activated by continuous wave US at 43 MHz and 50 or 90 W/cm2 through cell membrane stress caused by acoustic streaming. NaV1.2 channels were not affected through this mechanism at these intensities, but their kinetics could be accelerated by US-induced heating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Loynaz Prieto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kamyar Firouzi
- E. L. Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Merritt Maduke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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210
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Sato T, Shapiro MG, Tsao DY. Ultrasonic Neuromodulation Causes Widespread Cortical Activation via an Indirect Auditory Mechanism. Neuron 2018; 98:1031-1041.e5. [PMID: 29804920 PMCID: PMC8127805 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound has received widespread attention as an emerging technology for targeted, non-invasive neuromodulation based on its ability to evoke electrophysiological and motor responses in animals. However, little is known about the spatiotemporal pattern of ultrasound-induced brain activity that could drive these responses. Here, we address this question by combining focused ultrasound with wide-field optical imaging of calcium signals in transgenic mice. Surprisingly, we find cortical activity patterns consistent with indirect activation of auditory pathways rather than direct neuromodulation at the ultrasound focus. Ultrasound-induced activity is similar to that evoked by audible sound. Furthermore, both ultrasound and audible sound elicit motor responses consistent with a startle reflex, with both responses reduced by chemical deafening. These findings reveal an indirect auditory mechanism for ultrasound-induced cortical activity and movement requiring careful consideration in future development of ultrasonic neuromodulation as a tool in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Sato
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Doris Y Tsao
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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211
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Guo H, Hamilton M, Offutt SJ, Gloeckner CD, Li T, Kim Y, Legon W, Alford JK, Lim HH. Ultrasound Produces Extensive Brain Activation via a Cochlear Pathway. Neuron 2018; 98:1020-1030.e4. [PMID: 29804919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) can noninvasively activate intact brain circuits, making it a promising neuromodulation technique. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism. Here, we apply transcranial US and perform brain mapping studies in guinea pigs using extracellular electrophysiology. We find that US elicits extensive activation across cortical and subcortical brain regions. However, transection of the auditory nerves or removal of cochlear fluids eliminates the US-induced activity, revealing an indirect auditory mechanism for US neural activation. Our findings indicate that US activates the ascending auditory system through a cochlear pathway, which can activate other non-auditory regions through cross-modal projections. This cochlear pathway mechanism challenges the idea that US can directly activate neurons in the intact brain, suggesting that future US stimulation studies will need to control for this effect to reach reliable conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsun Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Mark Hamilton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sarah J Offutt
- Restorative Therapies Group, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55432, USA
| | - Cory D Gloeckner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tianqi Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yohan Kim
- Restorative Therapies Group, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55432, USA
| | - Wynn Legon
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jamu K Alford
- Restorative Therapies Group, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55432, USA
| | - Hubert H Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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212
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Ilham SJ, Chen L, Guo T, Emadi S, Hoshino K, Feng B. In vitro single-unit recordings reveal increased peripheral nerve conduction velocity by focused pulsed ultrasound. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2018; 4. [PMID: 30410792 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/aabef1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound that is widely used in medical diagnosis has drawn growing interests as a noninvasive means of neuromodulation. Focused pulsed ultrasound (FPUS) effectively modulates neural encoding and transmission in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with unclear mechanism of action, which is further confounded by contradictory experimental outcomes from recordings of compound action potentials (CAP). To address that, we developed a novel in vitro set up to achieve simultaneous single-unit recordings from individual mouse sciatic nerve axon and systematically studied the neuromodulation effects of FPUS on individual axon. Unlike previous CAP recordings, our single-unit recordings afford superior spatial and temporal resolution to reveal the subtle but consistent effects of ultrasonic neuromodulation. Our results indicate that, 1) FPUS did not evoke action potentials directly in mouse sciatic nerve at all the tested intensities (spatial peak temporal average intensity, ISPTA of 0.91 to 28.2 W/cm2); 2) FPUS increases the nerve conduction velocity (CV) in both fast-conducting A- and slow-conducting C- type axons with effects more pronounced at increased stimulus duration and intensity; and 3) effects of increased CV is reversible and cannot be attributed to the change of local temperature. Our results support existing theories of non-thermal mechanisms underlying ultrasonic neuromodulation with low-intensity FPUS, including NICE, flexoelectricity, and solition models. This work also provides a solid experimental basis to further advance our mechanistic understandings of ultrasonic neuromodulation in the PNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Ilham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - L Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - T Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - S Emadi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - K Hoshino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - B Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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213
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Daniels D, Sharabi S, Last D, Guez D, Salomon S, Zivli Z, Castel D, Volovick A, Grinfeld J, Rachmilevich I, Amar T, Liraz-Zaltsman S, Sargsyan N, Mardor Y, Harnof S. Focused Ultrasound-Induced Suppression of Auditory Evoked Potentials in Vivo. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1022-1030. [PMID: 29501283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of focused ultrasound-based neuromodulation affecting auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in animals. Focused ultrasound-induced suppression of AEPs was performed in 22 rats and 5 pigs: Repetitive sounds were produced, and the induced AEPs were recorded before and repeatedly after FUS treatment of the auditory pathway. All treated animals exhibited a decrease in AEP amplitude post-treatment in contrast to animals undergoing the sham treatment. Suppression was weaker for rats treated at 2.3 W/cm2 (amplitudes decreased to 59.8 ± 3.3% of baseline) than rats treated at 4.6 W/cm2 (36.9 ± 7.5%, p <0.001). Amplitudes of the treated pigs decreased to 27.7 ± 5.9% of baseline. This effect lasted between 30 min and 1 mo in most treated animals. No evidence of heating during treatment or later brain damage/edema was observed. These results demonstrate the feasibility of inducing significant neuromodulation with non-thermal, non-invasive, reversible focused ultrasound. The long recovery times may have clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Daniels
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Shirley Sharabi
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - David Last
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - David Guez
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Sharona Salomon
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Zion Zivli
- Neurosurgery Department, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - David Castel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - Sigal Liraz-Zaltsman
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel; School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Narek Sargsyan
- Faculty of Medicine, St. Georges University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yael Mardor
- Advanced Technology Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sagi Harnof
- Neurosurgery Department, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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214
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Ultrasonic modulation of neural circuit activity. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 50:222-231. [PMID: 29674264 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) is recognized for its use in medical imaging as a diagnostic tool. As an acoustic energy source, US has become increasingly appreciated over the past decade for its ability to non-invasively modulate cellular activity including neuronal activity. Data obtained from a host of experimental models has shown that low-intensity US can reversibly modulate the physiological activity of neurons in peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and intact brain circuits. Experimental evidence indicates that acoustic pressures exerted by US act, in part, on mechanosensitive ion channels to modulate activity. While the precise mechanisms of action enabling US to both stimulate and suppress neuronal activity remain to be clarified, there are several advantages conferred by the physics of US that make it an appealing option for neuromodulation. For example, it can be focused with millimeter spatial resolutions through skull bone to deep-brain regions. By increasing our engineering capability to leverage such physical advantages while growing our understanding of how US affects neuronal function, the development of a new generation of non-invasive neurotechnology can be developed using ultrasonic methods.
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215
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Han S, Kim M, Kim H, Shin H, Youn I. Ketamine Inhibits Ultrasound Stimulation-Induced Neuromodulation by Blocking Cortical Neuron Activity. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:635-646. [PMID: 29276137 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) can be used to noninvasively stimulate brain activity. However, reproducible motor responses evoked by US are only elicited when the animal is in a light state of anesthesia. The present study investigated the effects of ketamine on US-induced motor responses and cortical neuronal activity. US was applied to the motor cortex of mice, and motor responses were evaluated based on robustness scores. Cortical neuronal activity was observed by fluorescence calcium imaging. US-induced motor responses were inhibited more than 20 min after ketamine injection, and US-triggered Ca2+ transients in cortical neurons were effectively blocked by ketamine. Our results indicate that ketamine suppresses US-triggered Ca2+ transients in cortical neurons and, therefore, inhibits US-induced motor responses in a deep anesthetic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungmin Han
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoon Shin
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Inchan Youn
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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216
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Ultrasound Elicits Behavioral Responses through Mechanical Effects on Neurons and Ion Channels in a Simple Nervous System. J Neurosci 2018; 38:3081-3091. [PMID: 29463641 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1458-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound has been shown to stimulate excitable cells, but the biophysical mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain poorly understood. To provide additional insight, we devised a behavioral-genetic assay applied to the well-characterized nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. We found that pulsed ultrasound elicits robust reversal behavior in wild-type animals in a pressure-, duration-, and pulse protocol-dependent manner. Responses were preserved in mutants unable to sense thermal fluctuations and absent in mutants lacking neurons required for mechanosensation. Additionally, we found that the worm's response to ultrasound pulses rests on the expression of MEC-4, a DEG/ENaC/ASIC ion channel required for touch sensation. Consistent with prior studies of MEC-4-dependent currents in vivo, the worm's response was optimal for pulses repeated 300-1000 times per second. Based on these findings, we conclude that mechanical, rather than thermal, stimulation accounts for behavioral responses. Further, we propose that acoustic radiation force governs the response to ultrasound in a manner that depends on the touch receptor neurons and MEC-4-dependent ion channels. Our findings illuminate a complete pathway of ultrasound action, from the forces generated by propagating ultrasound to an activation of a specific ion channel. The findings further highlight the importance of optimizing ultrasound pulsing protocols when stimulating neurons via ion channels with mechanosensitive properties.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How ultrasound influences neurons and other excitable cells has remained a mystery for decades. Although it is widely understood that ultrasound can heat tissues and induce mechanical strain, whether or not neuronal activation depends on heat, mechanical force, or both physical factors is not known. We harnessed Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes and their extraordinary sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli to address this question. Whereas thermosensory mutants respond to ultrasound similar to wild-type animals, mechanosensory mutants were insensitive to ultrasound stimulation. Additionally, stimulus parameters that accentuate mechanical effects were more effective than those producing more heat. These findings highlight a mechanical nature of the effect of ultrasound on neurons and suggest specific ways to optimize stimulation protocols in specific tissues.
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217
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Abstract
The understanding of brain function and the capacity to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders rest on the ability to intervene in neuronal activity in specific brain circuits. Current methods of neuromodulation incur a tradeoff between spatial focus and the level of invasiveness. Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) is emerging as a neuromodulation approach that combines noninvasiveness with focus that can be relatively sharp even in regions deep in the brain. This may enable studies of the causal role of specific brain regions in specific behaviors and behavioral disorders. In addition to causal brain mapping, the spatial focus of FUS opens new avenues for treatments of neurological and psychiatric conditions. This review introduces existing and emerging FUS applications in neuromodulation, discusses the mechanisms of FUS effects on cellular excitability, considers the effects of specific stimulation parameters, and lays out the directions for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kubanek
- Departments of Neurobiology and Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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218
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Legon W, Ai L, Bansal P, Mueller JK. Neuromodulation with single-element transcranial focused ultrasound in human thalamus. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:1995-2006. [PMID: 29380485 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has proven capable of stimulating cortical tissue in humans. tFUS confers high spatial resolutions with deep focal lengths and as such, has the potential to noninvasively modulate neural targets deep to the cortex in humans. We test the ability of single-element tFUS to noninvasively modulate unilateral thalamus in humans. Participants (N = 40) underwent either tFUS or sham neuromodulation targeted at the unilateral sensory thalamus that contains the ventro-posterior lateral (VPL) nucleus of thalamus. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded from scalp electrodes contralateral to median nerve stimulation. Activity of the unilateral sensory thalamus was indexed by the P14 SEP generated in the VPL nucleus and cortical somatosensory activity by subsequent inflexions of the SEP and through time/frequency analysis. Participants also under went tactile behavioral assessment during either the tFUS or sham condition in a separate experiment. A detailed acoustic model using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also presented to assess the effect of individual skull morphology for single-element deep brain neuromodulation in humans. tFUS targeted at unilateral sensory thalamus inhibited the amplitude of the P14 SEP as compared to sham. There is evidence of translation of this effect to time windows of the EEG commensurate with SI and SII activities. These results were accompanied by alpha and beta power attenuation as well as time-locked gamma power inhibition. Furthermore, participants performed significantly worse than chance on a discrimination task during tFUS stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wynn Legon
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Leo Ai
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Priya Bansal
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jerel K Mueller
- Division of Physical Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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219
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Maimbourg G, Houdouin A, Deffieux T, Tanter M, Aubry JF. 3D-printed adaptive acoustic lens as a disruptive technology for transcranial ultrasound therapy using single-element transducers. Phys Med Biol 2018; 63:025026. [PMID: 29219124 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aaa037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The development of multi-element arrays for better control of the shape of ultrasonic beams has opened the way for focusing through highly aberrating media, such as the human skull. As a result, the use of brain therapy with transcranial-focused ultrasound has rapidly grown. Although effective, such technology is expensive. We propose a disruptive, low-cost approach that consists of focusing a 1 MHz ultrasound beam through a human skull with a single-element transducer coupled with a tailored silicone acoustic lens cast in a 3D-printed mold and designed using computed tomography-based numerical acoustic simulation. We demonstrate on N = 3 human skulls that adding lens-based aberration correction to a single-element transducer increases the deposited energy on the target 10 fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Maimbourg
- INSERM U979, Institut Langevin, Paris, France. ESPCI Paris, Institut Langevin, PSL Research University, Paris, France. CNRS UMR 7587, Institut Langevin, Paris, France. Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
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220
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Constans C, Mateo P, Tanter M, Aubry JF. Potential impact of thermal effects during ultrasonic neurostimulation: retrospective numerical estimation of temperature elevation in seven rodent setups. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 63:025003. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aaa15c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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221
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Gulick DW, Li T, Kleim JA, Towe BC. Comparison of Electrical and Ultrasound Neurostimulation in Rat Motor Cortex. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:2824-2833. [PMID: 28964613 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.08.937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) is known to non-invasively stimulate and modulate brain function; however, the mechanism of action is poorly understood. This study tested US stimulation of rat motor cortex (100 W/cm2, 200 kHz) in combination with epidural cortical stimulation. US directly evoked hindlimb movement. This response occurred even with short US bursts (3 ms) and had short latency (10 ms) and long refractory (3 s) periods. Unexpectedly, the epidural cortical stimulation hindlimb response was not altered during the 3-s refractory period of the US hindlimb response. This finding suggests that the US refractory period is not a general suppression of motor cortex, but rather the recovery time of a US-specific mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Gulick
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA.
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jeffrey A Kleim
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Bruce C Towe
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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222
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Downs ME, Teichert T, Buch A, Karakatsani ME, Sierra C, Chen S, Konofagou EE, Ferrera VP. Toward a Cognitive Neural Prosthesis Using Focused Ultrasound. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:607. [PMID: 29187808 PMCID: PMC5694829 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation using focused ultrasound has many potential applications as a research and clinical tool, including its incorporation as either an extracorporeal or implantable neural prosthetic. To this end, we investigated the effect of focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with systemically administered microbubbles on visual-motor decision-making behavior in monkeys. We applied FUS to the putamen in one hemisphere to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and then tested behavioral performance 3–4 h later. On days when the monkeys were treated with FUS, their decisions were faster and more accurate than days without sonication. The performance improvement suggested both a shift in the decision criterion and an enhancement of the use of sensory evidence in the decision process. FUS also interacted with the effect of a low dose of haloperidol. The findings indicate that a two-minute application of FUS can have a sustained impact on performance of complex cognitive tasks, and may increase the efficacy of psychoactive medications. The results lend further support to the idea that the dorsal striatum plays an integral role in evidence- and reward-based decision-making, and provide motivation for incorporating FUS into cognitive neural prosthetic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Downs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tobias Teichert
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amanda Buch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria E Karakatsani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carlos Sierra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shangshang Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elisa E Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vincent P Ferrera
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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223
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Kim E, Anguluan E, Kim JG. Monitoring cerebral hemodynamic change during transcranial ultrasound stimulation using optical intrinsic signal imaging. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13148. [PMID: 29030623 PMCID: PMC5640689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (tUS) is a promising non-invasive approach to modulate brain circuits. The application is gaining popularity, however the full effect of ultrasound stimulation is still unclear and further investigation is needed. This study aims to apply optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI) for the first time, to simultaneously monitor the wide-field cerebral hemodynamic change during tUS on awake animal with high spatial and temporal resolution. Three stimulation paradigms were delivered using a single-element focused transducer operating at 425 kHz in pulsed mode having the same intensity (ISPPA = 1.84 W/cm2, ISPTA = 129 mW/cm2) but varying pulse repetition frequencies (PRF). The results indicate a concurrent hemodynamic change occurring with all actual tUS but not under a sham stimulation. The stimulation initiated the increase of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) and decrease of deoxygenated hemoglobin (RHb). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in the amplitude change of hemodynamics evoked by varying PRF. Moreover, the acoustic stimulation was able to trigger a global as well as local cerebral hemodynamic alteration in the mouse cortex. Thus, the implementation of OISI offers the possibility of directly investigating brain response in an awake animal during tUS through cerebral hemodynamic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
| | - Eloise Anguluan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
| | - Jae Gwan Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea. .,Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea.
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224
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Wright CJ, Haqshenas SR, Rothwell J, Saffari N. Unmyelinated Peripheral Nerves Can Be Stimulated in Vitro Using Pulsed Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:2269-2283. [PMID: 28716433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Appreciation for the medical and research potential of ultrasound neuromodulation is growing rapidly, with potential applications in non-invasive treatment of neurodegenerative disease and functional brain mapping spurring recent progress. However, little progress has been made in our understanding of the ultrasound-tissue interaction. The current study tackles this issue by measuring compound action potentials (CAPs) from an ex vivo crab walking leg nerve bundle and analysing the acoustic nature of successful stimuli using a passive cavitation detector (PCD). An unimpeded ultrasound path, new acoustic analysis techniques and simple biological targets are used to detect different modes of cavitation and narrow down the candidate biological effectors with high sensitivity. In the present case, the constituents of unmyelinated axonal tissue alone are found to be sufficient to generate de novo action potentials under ultrasound, the stimulation of which is significantly correlated to the presence of inertial cavitation and is never observed in its absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Wright
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK; University College London Institute of Neuroscience, London, UK.
| | - Seyyed R Haqshenas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Rothwell
- University College London Institute of Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Nader Saffari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
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225
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Huang S, Fisher JAN, Ye M, Kim YS, Ma R, Nabili M, Krauthamer V, Myers MR, Coleman TP, Welle CG. Epidermal Electrode Technology for Detecting Ultrasonic Perturbation of Sensory Brain Activity. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2017; 65:1272-1280. [PMID: 28858781 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2017.2713647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to demonstrate the in vivo capability of a wearable sensor technology to detect localized perturbations of sensory-evoked brain activity. METHODS Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded in mice via wearable, flexible epidermal electrode arrays. We then utilized the sensors to explore the effects of transcranial focused ultrasound, which noninvasively induced neural perturbation. SSEPs recorded with flexible epidermal sensors were quantified and benchmarked against those recorded with invasive epidural electrodes. RESULTS We found that cortical SSEPs recorded by flexible epidermal sensors were stimulus frequency dependent. Immediately following controlled, focal ultrasound perturbation, the sensors detected significant SSEP modulation, which consisted of dynamic amplitude decreases and altered stimulus-frequency dependence. These modifications were also dependent on the ultrasound perturbation dosage. The effects were consistent with those recorded with invasive electrodes, albeit with roughly one order of magnitude lower signal-to-noise ratio. CONCLUSION We found that flexible epidermal sensors reported multiple SSEP parameters that were sensitive to focused ultrasound. This work therefore 1) establishes that epidermal electrodes are appropriate for monitoring the integrity of major CNS functionalities through SSEP; and 2) leveraged this technology to explore ultrasound-induced neuromodulation. The sensor technology is well suited for this application because the sensor electrical properties are uninfluenced by direct exposure to ultrasound irradiation. SIGNIFICANCE The sensors and experimental paradigm we present involve standard, safe clinical neurological assessment methods and are thus applicable to a wide range of future translational studies in humans with any manner of health condition.
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226
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Pichardo S, Moreno-Hernández C, Andrew Drainville R, Sin V, Curiel L, Hynynen K. A viscoelastic model for the prediction of transcranial ultrasound propagation: application for the estimation of shear acoustic properties in the human skull. Phys Med Biol 2017; 62:6938-6962. [PMID: 28783716 PMCID: PMC5751709 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aa7ccc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A better understanding of ultrasound transmission through the human skull is fundamental to develop optimal imaging and therapeutic applications. In this study, we present global attenuation values and functions that correlate apparent density calculated from computed tomography scans to shear speed of sound. For this purpose, we used a model for sound propagation based on the viscoelastic wave equation (VWE) assuming isotropic conditions. The model was validated using a series of measurements with plates of different plastic materials and angles of incidence of 0°, 15° and 50°. The optimal functions for transcranial ultrasound propagation were established using the VWE, scan measurements of transcranial propagation with an angle of incidence of 40° and a genetic optimization algorithm. Ten (10) locations over three (3) skulls were used for ultrasound frequencies of 270 kHz and 836 kHz. Results with plastic materials demonstrated that the viscoelastic modeling predicted both longitudinal and shear propagation with an average (±s.d.) error of 9(±7)% of the wavelength in the predicted delay and an error of 6.7(±5)% in the estimation of transmitted power. Using the new optimal functions of speed of sound and global attenuation for the human skull, the proposed model predicted the transcranial ultrasound transmission for a frequency of 270 kHz with an expected error in the predicted delay of 5(±2.7)% of the wavelength. The sound propagation model predicted accurately the sound propagation regardless of either shear or longitudinal sound transmission dominated. For 836 kHz, the model predicted accurately in average with an error in the predicted delay of 17(±16)% of the wavelength. Results indicated the importance of the specificity of the information at a voxel level to better understand ultrasound transmission through the skull. These results and new model will be very valuable tools for the future development of transcranial applications of ultrasound therapy and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pichardo
- Thunder Bay Regional Research Health Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. Electrical Engineering, Physics, Biotechnology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
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228
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Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation modulates single-neuron discharge in macaques performing an antisaccade task. Brain Stimul 2017; 10:1024-1031. [PMID: 28789857 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low intensity transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) has been demonstrated to non-invasively and transiently stimulate the nervous system. Although US neuromodulation has appeared robust in rodent studies, the effects of US in large mammals and humans have been modest at best. In addition, there is a lack of direct recordings from the stimulated neurons in response to US. Our study investigates the magnitude of the US effects on neuronal discharge in awake behaving monkeys and thus fills the void on both fronts. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of recording action potentials in the supplementary eye field (SEF) as TUS is applied simultaneously to the frontal eye field (FEF) in macaques performing an antisaccade task. RESULTS We show that compared to a control stimulation in the visual cortex, SEF activity is significantly modulated shortly after TUS onset. Among all cell types 40% of neurons significantly changed their activity after TUS. Half of the neurons showed a transient increase of activity induced by TUS. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that the neuromodulatory effects of non-invasive focused ultrasound can be assessed in real time in awake behaving monkeys by recording discharge activity from a brain region reciprocally connected with the stimulated region. The study opens the door for further parametric studies for fine-tuning the ultrasonic parameters. The ultrasonic effect could indeed be quantified based on the direct measurement of the intensity of the modulation induced on a single neuron in a freely performing animal. The technique should be readily reproducible in other primate laboratories studying brain function, both for exploratory and therapeutic purposes and to facilitate the development of future clinical TUS devices.
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229
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Park SE. Localization of ultrasound waveform for low intensity ultrasound-induced neuromodulation in a mouse model. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017; 2017:1122-1125. [PMID: 29060072 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2017.8037026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A collimator design was investigated to localize ultrasound stimulation using a flat ultrasound transducer for ultrasound-induced neuromodulation in a mouse model. In brain stimulation, the specific location of stimulation must be specified, as the region responsible for motor or sensory function is clustered in a narrow brain area. To localize ultrasound stimulation, three types of collimator design were simulated to determine the optimal collimator design. The performance of the simulated optimal collimator was compared to that of an unmounted collimator in a transducer in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Throughout the experiments, the localized ultrasound waveform was shaped using the optimized collimator, which elicited neural spike activity in the targeted motor cortex. The optimized collimator shows potential for controlling a localized ultrasound waveform for ultrasound-induced neuromodulation in a small animal model.
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230
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Baek H, Pahk KJ, Kim H. A review of low-intensity focused ultrasound for neuromodulation. Biomed Eng Lett 2017; 7:135-142. [PMID: 30603160 PMCID: PMC6208465 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-016-0007-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of ultrasound to be focused into a small region of interest through the intact skull within the brain has led researchers to investigate its potential therapeutic uses for functional neurosurgery and tumor ablation. Studies have used high-intensity focused ultrasound to ablate tissue in localised brain regions for movement disorders and chronic pain while sparing the overlying and surrounding tissue. More recently, low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) that induces reversible biological effects has been emerged as an alternative neuromodulation modality due to its bi-modal (i.e. excitation and suppression) capability with exquisite spatial specificity and depth penetration. Many compelling evidences of LIFU-mediated neuromodulatory effects including behavioral responses, electrophysiological recordings and functional imaging data have been found in the last decades. LIFU, therefore, has the enormous potential to improve the clinical outcomes as well as to replace the currently available neuromodulation techniques such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial current stimulation. In this paper, we aim to provide a summary of pioneering studies in the field of ultrasonic neuromodulation including its underlying mechanisms that were published in the last 60 years. In closing, some of potential clinical applications of ultrasonic brain stimulation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchae Baek
- Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Joo Pahk
- Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- Center for Bionics, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea
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231
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Fishman PS, Frenkel V. Focused Ultrasound: An Emerging Therapeutic Modality for Neurologic Disease. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:393-404. [PMID: 28244011 PMCID: PMC5398988 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0515-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic ultrasound is only beginning to be applied to neurologic conditions, but the potential of this modality for a wide spectrum of brain applications is high. Engineering advances now allow sound waves to be targeted through the skull to a brain region selected with real time magnetic resonance imaging and thermography, using a commercial array of focused emitters. High intensities of sonic energy can create a coagulation lesion similar to that of older radiofrequency stereotactic methods, but without opening the skull. This has led to the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of focused ultrasound (FUS) thalamotomy for unilateral treatment of essential tremor. Clinical studies of stereotactic FUS for aspects of Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, and refractory psychiatric indications are underway, with promising results. Moderate-intensity FUS has the potential to safely open the blood-brain barrier for localized delivery of therapeutics, while low levels of sonic energy can be used as a form of neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Fishman
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Victor Frenkel
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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232
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Constans C, Deffieux T, Pouget P, Tanter M, Aubry JF. A 200-1380-kHz Quadrifrequency Focused Ultrasound Transducer for Neurostimulation in Rodents and Primates: Transcranial In Vitro Calibration and Numerical Study of the Influence of Skull Cavity. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2017; 64:717-724. [PMID: 28092531 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2017.2651648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Low intensity transcranial focused ultrasound has been demonstrated to produce neuromodulation in both animals and humans. Primarily for technical reasons, frequency is one of the most poorly investigated critical wave parameters. We propose the use of a quadri-band transducer capable of operating at 200, 320, 850, and 1380 kHz for further investigation of the frequency dependence of neuromodulation efficacy while keeping the position of the transducer fixed with respect to the subject's head. This paper presents the results of the transducer calibration in water, in vitro transmission measurements through a monkey skull flap, 3-D simulations based on both a μ -computed tomography ( μ CT)-scan of a rat and on CT-scans of two macaques. A maximum peak pressure greater than 0.52 MPa is expected at each frequency in rat and macaque heads. According to the literature, our transducer can achieve neuromodulation in rodents and primates at each four frequencies. The impact of standing waves is shown to be most prominent at the lowest frequencies.
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Abstract
Ultrasound (US) is widely known for its utility as a biomedical imaging modality. An abundance of evidence has recently accumulated showing that US is also useful for non-invasively modulating brain circuit activity. Through a series of studies discussed in this short review, it has recently become recognized that transcranial focused ultrasound can exert mechanical (non-thermal) bioeffects on neurons and cells to produce focal changes in the activity of brain circuits. In addition to highlighting scientific breakthroughs and observations that have driven the development of the field of ultrasonic neuromodulation, this study also provides a discussion of mechanisms of action underlying the ability of ultrasound to physically stimulate and modulate brain circuit activity. Exemplifying some forward-looking tools that can be developed by integrating ultrasonic neuromodulation with other advanced acoustic technologies, some innovative acoustic imaging, beam forming, and focusing techniques are briefly reviewed. Finally, the future outlook for ultrasonic neuromodulation is discussed, specifically in the context of applications employing transcranial focused ultrasound for the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fini
- a School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering , Arizona State University , Tempe , AZ , USA
| | - William J Tyler
- a School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering , Arizona State University , Tempe , AZ , USA
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234
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Casella DP, Dudley AG, Clayton DB, Pope JC, Tanaka ST, Thomas J, Adams MC, Brock JW, Caskey CF. Modulation of the rat micturition reflex with transcutaneous ultrasound. Neurourol Urodyn 2017; 36:1996-2002. [DOI: 10.1002/nau.23241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne G. Dudley
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
| | | | - John C. Pope
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
| | | | - John Thomas
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
| | - Mark C. Adams
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
| | - John W. Brock
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville Tennessee
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235
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Gao M, Yu Y, Zhao H, Li G, Jiang H, Wang C, Cai F, Chan LLH, Chiu B, Qian W, Qiu W, Zheng H. Simulation Study of an Ultrasound Retinal Prosthesis With a Novel Contact-Lens Array for Noninvasive Retinal Stimulation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2017; 25:1605-1611. [PMID: 28320674 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2017.2682923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Millions of people around the world suffer from varying degrees of vision loss (including complete blindness) because of retinal degenerative diseases. Artificial retinal prosthesis, which is usually based on electrical neurostimulation, is the most advanced technology for different types of retinal degeneration. However, this technology involves placing a device into the eyeball, and such a highly invasive procedure is inevitably highly risk and expensive. Ultrasound has been demonstrated to be a promising technology for noninvasive neurostimulation, making it possible to stimulate the retina and induce action potentials similar to those elicited by light stimulation. However, the technology of ultrasound retinal stimulation still requires considerable developments before it could be applied clinically. This paper proposes a novel contact-lens array transducer for use in an ultrasound retinal prosthesis (USRP). The transducer was designed in the shape of a contact lens so as to facilitate acoustic coupling with the eye liquid. The key parameters of the ultrasound transducer were simulated, and results are presented that indicate the achievement of 2-D pattern generation and that the proposed contact-lens array is suitable for multiple-focus neurostimulation, and can be used in a USRP.
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236
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Kamimura HAS, Wang S, Chen H, Wang Q, Aurup C, Acosta C, Carneiro AAO, Konofagou EE. Focused ultrasound neuromodulation of cortical and subcortical brain structures using 1.9 MHz. Med Phys 2017; 43:5730. [PMID: 27782686 DOI: 10.1118/1.4963208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultrasound neuromodulation is a promising noninvasive technique for controlling neural activity. Previous small animal studies suffered from low targeting specificity because of the low ultrasound frequencies (<690 kHz) used. In this study, the authors demonstrated the capability of focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation in the megahertz-range to achieve superior targeting specificity in the murine brain as well as demonstrate modulation of both motor and sensory responses. METHODS FUS sonications were carried out at 1.9 MHz with 50% duty cycle, pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz, and duration of 1 s. The robustness of the FUS neuromodulation was assessed first in sensorimotor cortex, where elicited motor activities were observed and recorded on videos and electromyography. Deeper brain regions were then targeted where pupillary dilation served as an indicative of successful modulation of subcortical brain structures. RESULTS Contralateral and ipsilateral movements of the hind limbs were repeatedly observed when the FUS was targeted at the sensorimotor cortex. Induced trunk and tail movements were also observed at different coordinates inside the sensorimotor cortex. At deeper targeted-structures, FUS induced eyeball movements (superior colliculus) and pupillary dilation (pretectal nucleus, locus coeruleus, and hippocampus). Histological analysis revealed no tissue damage associated with the FUS sonications. CONCLUSIONS The motor movements and pupillary dilation observed in this study demonstrate the capability of FUS to modulate cortical and subcortical brain structures without inducing any damage. The variety of responses observed here demonstrates the capability of FUS to perform functional brain mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes A S Kamimura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 and Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Shutao Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Christian Aurup
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Camilo Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Antonio A O Carneiro
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Elisa E Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 and Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
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Airan RD, Meyer RA, Ellens NPK, Rhodes KR, Farahani K, Pomper MG, Kadam SD, Green JJ. Noninvasive Targeted Transcranial Neuromodulation via Focused Ultrasound Gated Drug Release from Nanoemulsions. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:652-659. [PMID: 28094959 PMCID: PMC5362146 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b03517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Targeted, noninvasive neuromodulation of the brain of an otherwise awake subject could revolutionize both basic and clinical neuroscience. Toward this goal, we have developed nanoparticles that allow noninvasive uncaging of a neuromodulatory drug, in this case the small molecule anesthetic propofol, upon the application of focused ultrasound. These nanoparticles are composed of biodegradable and biocompatible constituents and are activated using sonication parameters that are readily achievable by current clinical transcranial focused ultrasound systems. These particles are potent enough that their activation can silence seizures in an acute rat seizure model. Notably, there is no evidence of brain parenchymal damage or blood-brain barrier opening with their use. Further development of these particles promises noninvasive, focal, and image-guided clinical neuromodulation along a variety of pharmacological axes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raag D. Airan
- Department of Radiology
and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering
Center, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
- Department of Radiology, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Randall A. Meyer
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering
Center, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
| | - Nicholas P. K. Ellens
- Department of Radiology
and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
| | - Kelly R. Rhodes
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering
Center, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
| | - Keyvan Farahani
- Department of Radiology
and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
- National
Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Department of Radiology
and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
| | - Shilpa D. Kadam
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
- Department
of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering
Center, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United
States
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, and Materials Science
and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
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238
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Rapid full-wave phase aberration correction method for transcranial high-intensity focused ultrasound therapies. J Ther Ultrasound 2016; 4:30. [PMID: 27980784 PMCID: PMC5143441 DOI: 10.1186/s40349-016-0074-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-invasive high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including those in the brain. However, the differences in acoustic properties between the skull and the surrounding soft tissue cause aberrations in the path of the ultrasonic beam, hindering or preventing treatment. Methods We present a method for correcting these aberrations that is fast, full-wave, and allows for corrections at multiple treatment locations. The method is simulation-based: an acoustic model is built based on high-resolution CT scans, and simulations are performed using the hybrid angular spectrum (HAS) method to determine the phases needed for correction. Results Computation of corrections for clinically applicable resolutions can be achieved in approximately 15 min. Experimental results with a plastic model designed to mimic the aberrations caused by the skull show that the method can recover 95 % of the peak pressure obtained using hydrophone-based time-reversal methods. Testing using an ex vivo human skull flap resulted in recovering up to 70 % of the peak pressure at the focus and 61 % when steering (representing, respectively, a 1.52- and 1.19-fold increase in the peak pressure over the uncorrected case). Additionally, combining the phase correction method with rapid HAS simulations allows evaluation of such treatment metrics as the effect of misregistration on resulting pressure levels. Conclusions The method presented here is able to rapidly compute phases required to improve ultrasound focusing through the skull at multiple treatment locations. Combining phase correction with rapid simulation techniques allows for evaluation of various treatment metrics such as the effect of steering on pressure levels. Since the method computes 3D pressure patterns, it may also be suitable for predicting off-focus hot spots during treatments—a primary concern for transcranial HIFU. Additionally, the plastic-skull method presented here may be a useful tool in evaluating the effectiveness of phase correction methods.
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239
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Bailey NW, Lewis PM, Thomson RHS, Maller JJ, Junor P, Fitzgerald PB. Does Exposure to Diagnostic Ultrasound Modulate Human Nerve Responses to Magnetic Stimulation? ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:2950-2956. [PMID: 27658751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) at diagnostic frequency and power is known to alter nerve potentials; however, the precise mechanism of action is unknown. We investigated whether US alters resting nerve potential to lower the threshold for magnetic nerve stimulation. Seventeen healthy subjects were recruited. For each subject, a 1.5 MHz US imaging probe was placed onto the elbow with the beam directed at the ulnar nerve. The probe was coupled to the skin using standard acoustic coupling gel as would be done for a routine clinical US scan. Ulnar nerve stimulation was performed simultaneously with magnetic stimulation (MS). Successful magnetic stimulation of the ulnar nerve was confirmed with nerve potentials measured by electromyography. There was no significant change in electromyography signal when MS was performed during US exposure. US at the diagnostic frequency and power tested does not alter nerve thresholds with MS. Testing at other frequencies is required, however, before US is negated as a technique to modify MS thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil W Bailey
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Philip M Lewis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard H S Thomson
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jerome J Maller
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Junor
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul B Fitzgerald
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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240
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Lee W, Chung YA, Jung Y, Song IU, Yoo SS. Simultaneous acoustic stimulation of human primary and secondary somatosensory cortices using transcranial focused ultrasound. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:68. [PMID: 27784293 PMCID: PMC5081675 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0303-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) is gaining momentum as a novel non-invasive brain stimulation method, with promising potential for superior spatial resolution and depth penetration compared to transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct current stimulation. We examined the presence of tactile sensations elicited by FUS stimulation of two separate brain regions in humans—the primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory areas of the hand, as guided by individual-specific functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Results Under image-guidance, acoustic stimulations were delivered to the SI and SII areas either separately or simultaneously. The SII areas were divided into sub-regions that are activated by four types of external tactile sensations to the palmar side of the right hand—vibrotactile, pressure, warmth, and coolness. Across the stimulation conditions (SI only, SII only, SI and SII simultaneously), participants reported various types of tactile sensations that arose from the hand contralateral to the stimulation, such as the palm/back of the hand or as single/neighboring fingers. The type of tactile sensations did not match the sensations that are associated with specific sub-regions in the SII. The neuro-stimulatory effects of FUS were transient and reversible, and the procedure did not cause any adverse changes or discomforts in the subject’s mental/physical status. Conclusions The use of multiple FUS transducers allowed for simultaneous stimulation of the SI/SII in the same hemisphere and elicited various tactile sensations in the absence of any external sensory stimuli. Stimulation of the SII area alone could also induce perception of tactile sensations. The ability to stimulate multiple brain areas in a spatially restricted fashion can be used to study causal relationships between regional brain activities and their cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12868-016-0303-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonhye Lee
- Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yong An Chung
- Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Jung
- Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Uk Song
- Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Schik Yoo
- Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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241
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Ventre DM, Koppes AN. The Body Acoustic: Ultrasonic Neuromodulation for Translational Medicine. Cells Tissues Organs 2016; 202:23-41. [DOI: 10.1159/000446622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
For the greater part of the last century, ultrasound (US) has seen widespread use in applications ranging from materials science to medicine. The history of US in medicine has also seen promising success in clinical diagnostics and regenerative medicine. Recent studies have shown that US is able to manipulate the nervous system, leading toward potential treatment for various neuropathological conditions, a phenomenon known as ultrasonic neuromodulation (NM). Ultrasonic NM is a promising alternative to pharmaceuticals and surgery, due to high spatiotemporal resolution combined with the potentially noninvasive means of application. Current advances have made progress in establishing effective dosage limits, waveform parameters, and stimulus regimes in order to achieve desired effects in a variety of tissue and cell types. However, to date there has been limited systematic analysis of the complex variables involved in creating a therapeutic US stimulation regime specifically tailored to the nervous system. Without a fundamental understanding of the effects of US on neural tissue, including the surrounding bone, musculature, and vasculature, the safety and efficacy of US as an NM tool is yet to be determined. Advances in imaging technology and focusing hardware highlight new avenues for potential clinical applications for therapeutic ultrasonic stimulation. US may be an alternative to electrical and magnetic means of NM for targets in the central nervous system as well as in the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. This review provides a historical perspective on the past, present, and future of US as a translational therapeutic.
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242
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Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation of human primary visual cortex. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34026. [PMID: 27658372 PMCID: PMC5034307 DOI: 10.1038/srep34026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) is making progress as a new non-invasive mode of regional brain stimulation. Current evidence of FUS-mediated neurostimulation for humans has been limited to the observation of subjective sensory manifestations and electrophysiological responses, thus warranting the identification of stimulated brain regions. Here, we report FUS sonication of the primary visual cortex (V1) in humans, resulting in elicited activation not only from the sonicated brain area, but also from the network of regions involved in visual and higher-order cognitive processes (as revealed by simultaneous acquisition of blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging). Accompanying phosphene perception was also reported. The electroencephalo graphic (EEG) responses showed distinct peaks associated with the stimulation. None of the participants showed any adverse effects from the sonication based on neuroimaging and neurological examinations. Retrospective numerical simulation of the acoustic profile showed the presence of individual variability in terms of the location and intensity of the acoustic focus. With exquisite spatial selectivity and capability for depth penetration, FUS may confer a unique utility in providing non-invasive stimulation of region-specific brain circuits for neuroscientific and therapeutic applications.
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243
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Yu K, Sohrabpour A, He B. Electrophysiological Source Imaging of Brain Networks Perturbed by Low-Intensity Transcranial Focused Ultrasound. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2016; 63:1787-1794. [PMID: 27448335 PMCID: PMC5247426 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2591924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has been introduced as a noninvasive neuromodulation technique with good spatial selectivity. We report an experimental investigation to detect noninvasive electrophysiological response induced by low-intensity tFUS in an in vivo animal model and perform electrophysiological source imaging (ESI) of tFUS-induced brain activity from noninvasive scalp EEG recordings. METHODS A single-element ultrasound transducer was used to generate low-intensity tFUS ( ) and induce brain activation at multiple selected sites in an in vivo rat model. Up to 16 scalp electrodes were used to record tFUS-induced EEG. Event-related potentials were analyzed in time, frequency, and spatial domains. Current source distributions were estimated by ESI to reconstruct spatiotemporal distributions of brain activation induced by tFUS. RESULTS Neuronal activation was observed following low-intensity tFUS, as correlated to tFUS intensity and sonication duration. ESI revealed initial focal activation in cortical area corresponding to tFUS stimulation site and the activation propagating to surrounding areas over time. CONCLUSION The present results demonstrate the feasibility of noninvasively recording brain electrophysiological response in vivo following low-intensity tFUS stimulation, and the feasibility of imaging spatiotemporal distributions of brain activation as induced by tFUS in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE The present approach may lead to a new means of imaging brain activity using tFUS perturbation and a closed-loop ESI-guided tFUS neuromodulation modality.
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244
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Abstract
Brain stimulation techniques are important in both basic and clinical studies. Majority of well-known brain stimulating techniques have low spatial resolution or entail invasive processes. Low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) seems to be a proper candidate for dealing with such deficiencies. This review recapitulates studies which explored the effects of LIFU on brain structures and its function, in both research and clinical areas. Although the mechanism of LIFU action is still unclear, its different effects from molecular level up to behavioral level can be explored in animal and human brain. It can also be coupled with brain imaging assessments in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rezayat
- Ultrasound Brain Stimulation Lab, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Ghodrati Toostani
- Interunidades Bioengenharia (EESC/FMRP/IQSC), Neurocognitive Engineering Lab, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.; Research FGS (Fanavaran Gostaresh Salamat), Research and Development Department, Tehran, Iran
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245
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Darvas F, Mehić E, Caler CJ, Ojemann JG, Mourad PD. Toward Deep Brain Monitoring with Superficial EEG Sensors Plus Neuromodulatory Focused Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:1834-47. [PMID: 27181686 PMCID: PMC5768413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive recordings of electrophysiological activity have limited anatomic specificity and depth. We hypothesized that spatially tagging a small volume of brain with a unique electroencephalography (EEG) signal induced by pulsed focused ultrasound could overcome those limitations. As a first step toward testing this hypothesis, we applied transcranial ultrasound (2 MHz, 200-ms pulses applied at 1050 Hz for 1 s at a spatial peak temporal average intensity of 1.4 W/cm(2)) to the brains of anesthetized rats while simultaneously recording EEG signals. We observed a significant 1050-Hz electrophysiological signal only when ultrasound was applied to a living brain. Moreover, amplitude demodulation of the EEG signal at 1050 Hz yielded measurement of gamma band (>30 Hz) brain activity consistent with direct measurements of that activity. These results represent preliminary support for use of pulsed focused ultrasound as a spatial tagging mechanism for non-invasive EEG-based mapping of deep brain activity with high spatial resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Darvas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Edin Mehić
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Connor J Caler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jeff G Ojemann
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pierre D Mourad
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Engineering and Mathematics, University of Washington, Bothell, Washington, USA.
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246
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Kim HB, Swanberg KM, Han HS, Kim JC, Kim JW, Lee S, Lee CJ, Maeng S, Kim TS, Park JH. Prolonged stimulation with low-intensity ultrasound induces delayed increases in spontaneous hippocampal culture spiking activity. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:885-896. [PMID: 27465511 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound is a promising neural stimulation modality, but an incomplete understanding of its range and mechanism of effect limits its therapeutic application. We investigated the modulation of spontaneous hippocampal spike activity by ultrasound at a lower acoustic intensity and longer time scale than has been previously attempted, hypothesizing that spiking would change conditionally upon the availability of glutamate receptors. Using a 60-channel multielectrode array (MEA), we measured spontaneous spiking across organotypic rat hippocampal slice cultures (N = 28) for 3 min each before, during, and after stimulation with low-intensity unfocused pulsed or sham ultrasound (spatial-peak pulse average intensity 780 μW/cm2 ) preperfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 300 μM kynurenic acid (KA), or 0.5 μM tetrodotoxin (TTX) at 3 ml/min. Spike rates were normalized and compared across stimulation type and period, subregion, threshold level, and/or perfusion condition using repeated-measures ANOVA and generalized linear mixed models. Normalized 3-min spike counts for large but not midsized, small, or total spikes increased after but not during ultrasound relative to sham stimulation. This result was recapitulated in subregions CA1 and dentate gyrus and replicated in a separate experiment for all spike size groups in slices pretreated with aCSF but not KA or TTX. Increases in normalized 18-sec total, midsized, and large spike counts peaked predominantly 1.5 min following ultrasound stimulation. Our low-intensity ultrasound setup exerted delayed glutamate receptor-dependent, amplitude- and possibly region-specific influences on spontaneous spike rates across the hippocampus, expanding the range of known parameters at which ultrasound may be used for neural activity modulation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Bum Kim
- Department of East-West Medical Science, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Kelley M Swanberg
- Department of East-West Medicine, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Sok Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Chae Kim
- Biometrics Team, CTO Future IT Laboratory, LG Electronics Umyeon R&D Campus, Seocho-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Woo Kim
- Division of Polar Logistics, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungon Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Neuroscience and Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Maeng
- Department of East-West Medicine, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Seong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ho Park
- Department of East-West Medicine, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
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247
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Yuan Y, Yan J, Ma Z, Li X. Noninvasive Focused Ultrasound Stimulation Can Modulate Phase-Amplitude Coupling between Neuronal Oscillations in the Rat Hippocampus. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:348. [PMID: 27499733 PMCID: PMC4956652 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) can be used to modulate neural activity with high spatial resolution. Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between neuronal oscillations is tightly associated with cognitive processes, including learning, attention, and memory. In this study, we investigated the effect of FUS on PAC between neuronal oscillations and established the relationship between the PAC index and ultrasonic intensity. The rat hippocampus was stimulated using focused ultrasound at different spatial-average pulse-average ultrasonic intensities (3.9, 9.6, and 19.2 W/cm(2)). The local field potentials (LFPs) in the rat hippocampus were recorded before and after FUS. Then, we analyzed PAC between neuronal oscillations using a PAC calculation algorithm. Our results showed that FUS significantly modulated PAC between the theta (4-8 Hz) and gamma (30-80 Hz) bands and between the alpha (9-13 Hz) and ripple (81-200 Hz) bands in the rat hippocampus, and PAC increased with incremental increases in ultrasonic intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yuan
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Jiaqing Yan
- School of Electrical and Control Engineering, North China University of Technology Beijing, China
| | - Zhitao Ma
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing, China
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248
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Ye PP, Brown JR, Pauly KB. Frequency Dependence of Ultrasound Neurostimulation in the Mouse Brain. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:1512-30. [PMID: 27090861 PMCID: PMC4899295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound neuromodulation holds promise as a non-invasive technique for neuromodulation of the central nervous system. However, much remains to be determined about how the technique can be transformed into a useful technology, including the effect of ultrasound frequency. Previous studies have demonstrated neuromodulation in vivo using frequencies <1 MHz, with a trend toward improved efficacy with lower frequency. However, using higher frequencies could offer improved ultrasound spatial resolution. We investigate the ultrasound neuromodulation effects in mice at various frequencies both below and above 1 MHz. We find that frequencies up to 2.9 MHz can still be effective for generating motor responses, but we also confirm that as frequency increases, sonications require significantly more intensity to achieve equivalent efficacy. We argue that our results provide evidence that favors either a particle displacement or a cavitation-based mechanism for the phenomenon of ultrasound neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julian R Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kim Butts Pauly
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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249
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Cell-Type-Selective Effects of Intramembrane Cavitation as a Unifying Theoretical Framework for Ultrasonic Neuromodulation. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0136-15. [PMID: 27390775 PMCID: PMC4917736 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0136-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse translational and research applications could benefit from the noninvasive ability to reversibly modulate (excite or suppress) CNS activity using ultrasound pulses, however, without clarifying the underlying mechanism, advanced design-based ultrasonic neuromodulation remains elusive. Recently, intramembrane cavitation within the bilayer membrane was proposed to underlie both the biomechanics and the biophysics of acoustic bio-effects, potentially explaining cortical stimulation results through a neuronal intramembrane cavitation excitation (NICE) model. Here, NICE theory is shown to provide a detailed predictive explanation for the ability of ultrasonic (US) pulses to also suppress neural circuits through cell-type-selective mechanisms: according to the predicted mechanism T-type calcium channels boost charge accumulation between short US pulses selectively in low threshold spiking interneurons, promoting net cortical network inhibition. The theoretical results fit and clarify a wide array of earlier empirical observations in both the cortex and thalamus regarding the dependence of ultrasonic neuromodulation outcomes (excitation-suppression) on stimulation and network parameters. These results further support a unifying hypothesis for ultrasonic neuromodulation, highlighting the potential of advanced waveform design for obtaining cell-type-selective network control.
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250
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Sassaroli E, Vykhodtseva N. Acoustic neuromodulation from a basic science prospective. J Ther Ultrasound 2016; 4:17. [PMID: 27213044 PMCID: PMC4875658 DOI: 10.1186/s40349-016-0061-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We present here biophysical models to gain deeper insights into how an acoustic stimulus might influence or modulate neuronal activity. There is clear evidence that neural activity is not only associated with electrical and chemical changes but that an electro-mechanical coupling is also involved. Currently, there is no theory that unifies the electrical, chemical, and mechanical aspects of neuronal activity. Here, we discuss biophysical models and hypotheses that can explain some of the mechanical aspects associated with neuronal activity: the soliton model, the neuronal intramembrane cavitation excitation model, and the flexoelectricity hypothesis. We analyze these models and discuss their implications on stimulation and modulation of neuronal activity by ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Sassaroli
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Focused Ultrasound Lab, 221 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Natalia Vykhodtseva
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Focused Ultrasound Lab, 221 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 USA
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