1
|
Fan WY, Chen YM, Wang YF, Wang YQ, Hu JQ, Tang WX, Feng Y, Cheng Q, Xue L. L-Type Calcium Channel Modulates Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound-Induced Excitation in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:921-936. [PMID: 38498092 PMCID: PMC11250733 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01186-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
As a noninvasive technique, ultrasound stimulation is known to modulate neuronal activity both in vitro and in vivo. The latest explanation of this phenomenon is that the acoustic wave can activate the ion channels and further impact the electrophysiological properties of targeted neurons. However, the underlying mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS)-induced neuro-modulation effects is still unclear. Here, we characterize the excitatory effects of LIPUS on spontaneous activity and the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured hippocampal neurons. By whole-cell patch clamp recording, we found that 15 min of 1-MHz LIPUS boosts the frequency of both spontaneous action potentials and spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents (sEPSCs) and also increases the amplitude of sEPSCs in hippocampal neurons. This phenomenon lasts for > 10 min after LIPUS exposure. Together with Ca2+ imaging, we clarified that LIPUS increases the [Ca2+]cyto level by facilitating L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs). In addition, due to the [Ca2+]cyto elevation by LIPUS exposure, the Ca2+-dependent CaMKII-CREB pathway can be activated within 30 min to further regulate the gene transcription and protein expression. Our work suggests that LIPUS regulates neuronal activity in a Ca2+-dependent manner via LTCCs. This may also explain the multi-activation effects of LIPUS beyond neurons. LIPUS stimulation potentiates spontaneous neuronal activity by increasing Ca2+ influx.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yi-Ming Chen
- Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, China
| | - Yu-Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jia-Qi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Pain Management, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Wen-Xu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, China.
- Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Lei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Research Institute of Intelligent Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Feng R, Sheng H, Lian Y. Advances in using ultrasound to regulate the nervous system. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2997-3006. [PMID: 38436788 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07426-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound is a mechanical vibration with a frequency greater than 20 kHz. Due to its high spatial resolution, good directionality, and convenient operation in neural regulation, it has recently received increasing attention from scientists. However, the mechanism by which ultrasound regulates the nervous system is still unclear. This article mainly explores the possible mechanisms of ultrasound's mechanical effects, cavitation effects, thermal effects, and the rise of sonogenetics. In addition, the essence of action potential and its relationship with ultrasound were also discussed. Traditional theory treats nerve impulses as pure electrical signals, similar to cable theory. However, this theory cannot explain the phenomenon of inductance and cell membrane bulging out during the propagation of action potential. Therefore, the flexoelectric effect of cell membrane and soliton model reveal that action potential may also be a mechanical wave. Finally, we also elaborated the therapeutic effect of ultrasound on nervous system disease such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hanqing Sheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yajun Lian
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gao H, Ramachandran S, Yu K, He B. Transcranial focused ultrasound activates feedforward and feedback cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways by selectively activating excitatory neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.26.600794. [PMID: 38979359 PMCID: PMC11230429 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.26.600794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has been proven capable of altering focal neuronal activities and neural circuits non-invasively in both animals and humans. The abilities of tFUS for cell-type selection within the targeted area like somatosensory cortex have been shown to be parameter related. However, how neuronal subpopulations across neural pathways are affected, for example how tFUS affected neuronal connections between brain areas remains unclear. In this study, multi-site intracranial recordings were used to quantify the neuronal responses to tFUS stimulation at somatosensory cortex (S1), motor cortex (M1) and posterior medial thalamic nucleus (POm) of cortico-thalamo-cortical (CTC) pathway. We found that when targeting at S1 or POm, only regular spiking units (RSUs, putative excitatory neurons) responded to specific tFUS parameters (duty cycle: 6%-60% and pulse repetition frequency: 1500 and 3000 Hz ) during sonication. RSUs from the directly connected area (POm or S1) showed a synchronized response, which changed the directional correlation between RSUs from POm and S1. The tFUS induced excitation of RSUs activated the feedforward and feedback loops between cortex and thalamus, eliciting delayed neuronal responses of RSUs and delayed activities of fast spiking units (FSUs) by affecting local network. Our findings indicated that tFUS can modulate the CTC pathway through both feedforward and feedback loops, which could influence larger cortical areas including motor cortex.
Collapse
|
4
|
Meng W, Lin Z, Lu Y, Long X, Meng L, Su C, Wang Z, Niu L. Spatiotemporal Distributions of Acoustic Propagation in Skull During Ultrasound Neuromodulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2024; 71:584-595. [PMID: 38557630 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2024.3383027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
There is widespread interest and concern about the evidence and hypothesis that the auditory system is involved in ultrasound neuromodulation. We have addressed this problem by performing acoustic shear wave simulations in mouse skull and behavioral experiments in deaf mice. The simulation results showed that shear waves propagating along the skull did not reach sufficient acoustic pressure in the auditory cortex to modulate neurons. Behavioral experiments were subsequently performed to awaken anesthetized mice with ultrasound targeting the motor cortex or ventral tegmental area (VTA). The experimental results showed that ultrasound stimulation (US) of the target areas significantly increased arousal scores even in deaf mice, whereas the loss of ultrasound gel abolished the effect. Immunofluorescence staining also showed that ultrasound can modulate neurons in the target area, whereas neurons in the auditory cortex required the involvement of the normal auditory system for activation. In summary, the shear waves propagating along the skull cannot reach the auditory cortex and induce neuronal activation. Ultrasound neuromodulation-induced arousal behavior needs direct action on functionally relevant stimulation targets in the absence of auditory system participation.
Collapse
|
5
|
Schafer SF, Croke H, Kriete A, Ayaz H, Lewin PA, von Reyn CR, Schafer ME. A Miniature Ultrasound Source for Neural Modulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2023; 70:1544-1553. [PMID: 37812556 PMCID: PMC10751802 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2023.3322963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
This work describes a unique ultrasound (US) exposure system designed to create very localized ( [Formula: see text]) sound fields at operating frequencies that are currently being used for preclinical US neuromodulation. This system can expose small clusters of neuronal tissue, such as cell cultures or intact brain structures in target animal models, opening up opportunities to examine possible mechanisms of action. We modified a dental descaler and drove it at a resonance frequency of 96 kHz, well above its nominal operating point of 28 kHz. A ceramic microtip from an ultrasonic wire bonder was attached to the end of the applicator, creating a 100- [Formula: see text] point source. The device was calibrated with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophone, in a novel, air-backed, configuration. The experimental results were confirmed by simulation using a monopole model. The results show a consistent decaying sound field from the tip, well-suited to neural stimulation. The system was tested on an existing neurological model, Drosophila melanogaster, which has not previously been used for US neuromodulation experiments. The results show brain-directed US stimulation induces or suppresses motor actions, demonstrated through synchronized tracking of fly limb movements. These results provide the basis for ongoing and future studies of US interaction with neuronal tissue, both at the level of single neurons and intact organisms.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao Z, Ji H, Zhang C, Pei J, Zhang X, Yuan Y. Modulation effects of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation on the neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity of mice. Neuroimage 2023; 270:119952. [PMID: 36805093 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has been effective in modulating several neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, how TUS modulates neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity remains unclear. Thus, we behaviorally tested the whisker-dependent novel object discrimination ability in mice after ultrasound stimulation and examined the cortical neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity in awake mice after ultrasound stimulation by two-photon fluorescence imaging. The current study presented the following results: (1) TUS could significantly improve the whisker-dependent new object discrimination ability of mice, suggesting that their learning and memory abilities were significantly enhanced; (2) TUS significantly enhanced neuronal firing activity; and (3) TUS increased the growth rate of dendritic spines in the barrel cortex, but did not promote the extinction of dendritic spines, resulting in enhanced synaptic plasticity. The above results indicate that TUS can improve the learning and memory ability of mice and enhance the neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity that are closely related to it. This study provides a research basis for the application of ultrasound stimulation in the treatment of learning- and memory-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Hui Ji
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Jiamin Pei
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Xiangjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China.
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
| |
Collapse
|