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Chen G, Yu F, Shi L, Marar C, Du Z, Jia D, Cheng JX, Yang C. High-Precision Photoacoustic Neural Modulation Uses a Non-Thermal Mechanism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2403205. [PMID: 38923780 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Neuromodulation is a powerful tool for fundamental studies in neuroscience and potential treatments of neurological disorders. Both photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal (PT) effects are harnessed for non-genetic high-precision neural stimulation. Using a fiber-based device excitable by a nanosecond pulsed laser and a continuous wave laser for PA and PT stimulation, respectively, PA and PT neuromodulation is systematically investigated at the single neuron level. These results show that to achieve the same level of neuron activation recorded by Ca2+ imaging, the laser energy needed for PA stimulation is 1/40 of that needed for PT stimulation. The threshold energy for PA stimulation is found to be further reduced in neurons overexpressing mechano-sensitive channels, indicating direct involvement of mechano-sensitive channels in PA stimulation. Electrophysiology study of single neurons upon PA and PT stimulation is performed by patch clamp recordings. Electrophysiological features induced by PA are distinct from those by PT, confirming that PA and PT stimulation operate through different mechanisms. These insights offer a foundation for the rational design of more efficient and safer non-genetic neural modulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Feiyuan Yu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Linli Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Carolyn Marar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Zhiyi Du
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Danchen Jia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ji-Xin Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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Du Z, Chen G, Li Y, Zheng N, Cheng JX, Yang C. Photoacoustic: A Versatile Nongenetic Method for High-Precision Neuromodulation. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1595-1607. [PMID: 38759211 PMCID: PMC11154953 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
High-precision neuromodulation plays a pivotal role in elucidating fundamental principles of neuroscience and treating specific neurological disorders. Optical neuromodulation, enabled by spatial resolution defined by the diffraction limit at the submicrometer scale, is a general strategy to achieve such precision. Optogenetics offers single-neuron spatial resolution with cellular specificity, whereas the requirement of genetic transfection hinders its clinical application. Direct photothermal modulation, an alternative nongenetic optical approach, often associates a large temperature increase with the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues.Photoacoustic (also called optoacoustic) neural stimulation is an emerging technology for neural stimulation with the following key features demonstrated. First, the photoacoustic approach demonstrated high efficacy without the need for genetic modification. The generated pulsed ultrasound upon ns laser pulses with energy ranging from a few μJ to tens of μJ is sufficient to activate wild-type neurons. Second, the photoacoustic approach provides sub-100-μm spatial precision. It overcomes the fundamental wave diffraction limit of ultrasound by harnessing the localized ultrasound field generated through light absorption. A spatial precision of 400 μm has been achieved in rodent brains using a fiber-based photoacoustic emitter. Single-cell stimulation in neuronal cultures in vitro and in brain slices ex vivo is achieved using tapered fiber-based photoacoustic emitters. This precision is 10 to 100 times better than that for piezo-based low-frequency ultrasound and is essential to pinpoint a specific region or cell population in a living brain. Third, compared to direct photothermal stimulation via temperature increase, photoacoustic stimulation requires 40 times less laser energy dose to evoke neuron activities and is associated with a minimal temperature increase of less than 1 °C, preventing potential thermal damage to neurons. Fourth, photoacoustics is a versatile approach and can be designed in various platforms aiming at specific applications. Our team has shown the design of fiber-based photoacoustic emitters, photoacoustic nanotransducers, soft biocompatible photoacoustic films, and soft photoacoustic lenses. Since they interact with neurons through ultrasound without the need for direct contact, photoacoustic enables noninvasive transcranial and dura-penetrating brain stimulation without compromising high precision.In this Account, we will first review the basic principles of photoacoustic and discuss the key design elements of PA transducers for neural modulation guided by the principle. We will also highlight how these design goals were achieved from a materials chemistry perspective. The design of different PA interfaces, their unique capability, and their applications in neural systems will be reviewed. In the end, we will discuss the remaining challenges and future perspectives for this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Du
- Department
of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Guo Chen
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Yueming Li
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Nan Zheng
- Division
of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Ji-Xin Cheng
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Chen Yang
- Department
of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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Wang G, Zhou Y, Yu C, Yang Q, Chen L, Ling S, Chen P, Xing J, Wu H, Zhao Q. Intravital photoacoustic brain stimulation with high-precision. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2024; 29:S11520. [PMID: 38333219 PMCID: PMC10851606 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.29.s1.s11520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Significance Neural regulation at high precision vitally contributes to propelling fundamental understanding in the field of neuroscience and providing innovative clinical treatment options. Recently, photoacoustic brain stimulation has emerged as a cutting-edge method for precise neuromodulation and shows great potential for clinical application. Aim The goal of this perspective is to outline the advancements in photoacoustic brain stimulation in recent years. And, we also provide an outlook delineating several prospective paths through which this burgeoning approach may be substantively refined for augmented capability and wider implementations. Approach First, the mechanisms of photoacoustic generation as well as the potential mechanisms of photoacoustic brain stimulation are provided and discussed. Then, the state-of-the-art achievements corresponding to this technology are reviewed. Finally, future directions for photoacoustic technology in neuromodulation are provided. Results Intensive research endeavors have prompted substantial advancements in photoacoustic brain stimulation, illuminating the unique advantages of this modality for noninvasive and high-precision neuromodulation via a nongenetic way. It is envisaged that further technology optimization and randomized prospective clinical trials will enable a wide acceptance of photoacoustic brain stimulation in clinical practice. Conclusions The innovative practice of photoacoustic technology serves as a multifaceted neuromodulation approach, possessing noninvasive, high-accuracy, and nongenetic characteristics. It has a great potential that could considerably enhance not only the fundamental underpinnings of neuroscience research but also its practical implementations in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxing Wang
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuying Zhou
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunhui Yu
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Shuting Ling
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Pengyu Chen
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiwei Xing
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Huiling Wu
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingliang Zhao
- Xiamen University, School of Public Health, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, China
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