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Wilson MG, Webb TD, Odéen H, Kubanek J. Remotely controlled drug release in deep brain regions of non-human primates. J Control Release 2024; 369:775-785. [PMID: 38604386 PMCID: PMC11111335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Many areas of science and medicine would benefit from selective release of drugs in specific regions. Nanoparticle drug carriers activated by focused ultrasound-remotely applied, depth-penetrating energy-may provide such selective interventions. Here, we developed stable, ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles that can be used to release drugs effectively and safely in non-human primates. The nanoparticles were used to release propofol in deep brain visual regions. The release reversibly modulated the subjects' visual choice behavior and was specific to the targeted region and to the released drug. Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging suggested an intact blood-brain barrier. Blood draws showed normal clinical chemistry and hematology. In summary, this study provides a safe and effective approach to release drugs on demand in selected deep brain regions at levels sufficient to modulate behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Taylor D Webb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Henrik Odéen
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, 729 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Jan Kubanek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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Wilson MG, Webb TD, Odéen H, Kubanek J. Remotely controlled drug release in deep brain regions of non-human primates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.09.561539. [PMID: 37873134 PMCID: PMC10592699 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.561539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Many areas of science and medicine would benefit from selective release of drugs in specific regions of interest. Nanoparticle drug carriers activated by focused ultrasound-remotely applied, depth-penetrating energy-may provide such selective interventions. Here, we developed stable, ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles that can be used to release drugs effectively and safely in non-human primates. The nanoparticles were used to release propofol in deep brain visual regions. The release reversibly modulated the subjects' visual choice behavior and was specific to the targeted region and to the released drug. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI imaging suggested an intact blood-brain barrier. Blood draws showed normal clinical chemistry and hematology. In summary, this study provides a safe and effective approach to release drugs on demand in selected deep brain regions at levels sufficient to modulate behavior.
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Riis TS, Losser AJ, Kassavetis P, Moretti P, Kubanek J. Noninvasive modulation of essential tremor with focused ultrasonic waves. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:016033. [PMID: 38335553 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad27ef] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Transcranial focused low-intensity ultrasound has the potential to noninvasively modulate confined regions deep inside the human brain, which could provide a new tool for causal interrogation of circuit function in humans. However, it has been unclear whether the approach is potent enough to modulate behavior.Approach: To test this, we applied low-intensity ultrasound to a deep brain thalamic target, the ventral intermediate nucleus, in three patients with essential tremor.Main results: Brief, 15 s stimulations of the target at 10% duty cycle with low-intensity ultrasound, repeated less than 30 times over a period of 90 min, nearly abolished tremor (98% and 97% tremor amplitude reduction) in 2 out of 3 patients. The effect was observed within seconds of the stimulation onset and increased with ultrasound exposure time. The effect gradually vanished following the stimulation, suggesting that the stimulation was safe with no harmful long-term consequences detected.Significance: This result demonstrates that low-intensity focused ultrasound can robustly modulate deep brain regions in humans with notable effects on overt motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Riis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
| | - Adam J Losser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
| | - Panagiotis Kassavetis
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States of America
| | - Paolo Moretti
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States of America
- George E. Wahlen, VA, Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, United States of America
| | - Jan Kubanek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
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Riis T, Feldman D, Losser A, Mickey B, Kubanek J. Device for Multifocal Delivery of Ultrasound Into Deep Brain Regions in Humans. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:660-668. [PMID: 37695955 PMCID: PMC10803076 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3313987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity focused ultrasound provides the means to noninvasively stimulate or release drugs in specified deep brain targets. However, successful clinical translations require hardware that maximizes acoustic transmission through the skull, enables flexible electronic steering, and provides accurate and reproducible targeting while minimizing the use of MRI. We have developed a device that addresses these practical requirements. The device delivers ultrasound through the temporal and parietal skull windows, which minimize the attenuation and distortions of the ultrasound by the skull. The device consists of 252 independently controlled elements, which provides the ability to modulate multiple deep brain targets at a high spatiotemporal resolution, without the need to move the device or the subject. And finally, the device uses a mechanical registration method that enables accurate deep brain targeting both inside and outside of the MRI. Using this method, a single MRI scan is necessary for accurate targeting; repeated subsequent treatments can be performed reproducibly in an MRI-free manner. We validated these functions by transiently modulating specific deep brain regions in two patients with treatment-resistant depression.
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Sigona MK, Manuel TJ, Anthony Phipps M, Boroujeni KB, Treuting RL, Womelsdorf T, Caskey CF. Generating Patient-Specific Acoustic Simulations for Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Procedures Based on Optical Tracking Information. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2023; 3:146-156. [PMID: 38222464 PMCID: PMC10785958 DOI: 10.1109/ojuffc.2023.3318560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Optical tracking is a real-time transducer positioning method for transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) procedures, but the predicted focus from optical tracking typically does not incorporate subject-specific skull information. Acoustic simulations can estimate the pressure field when propagating through the cranium but rely on accurately replicating the positioning of the transducer and skull in a simulated space. Here, we develop and characterize the accuracy of a workflow that creates simulation grids based on optical tracking information in a neuronavigated phantom with and without transmission through an ex vivo skull cap. The software pipeline could replicate the geometry of the tFUS procedure within the limits of the optical tracking system (transcranial target registration error (TRE): 3.9 ± 0.7 mm). The simulated focus and the free-field focus predicted by optical tracking had low Euclidean distance errors of 0.5±0.1 and 1.2±0.4 mm for phantom and skull cap, respectively, and some skull-specific effects were captured by the simulation. However, the TRE of simulation informed by optical tracking was 4.6±0.2, which is as large or greater than the focal spot size used by many tFUS systems. By updating the position of the transducer using the original TRE offset, we reduced the simulated TRE to 1.1 ± 0.4 mm. Our study describes a software pipeline for treatment planning, evaluates its accuracy, and demonstrates an approach using MR-acoustic radiation force imaging as a method to improve dosimetry. Overall, our software pipeline helps estimate acoustic exposure, and our study highlights the need for image feedback to increase the accuracy of tFUS dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K Sigona
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Thomas J Manuel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - M Anthony Phipps
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | | | - Robert Louie Treuting
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Thilo Womelsdorf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Charles F Caskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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Webb T, Cheeniyil R, Wilson M, Kubanek J. Remote targeted electrical stimulation. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:036030. [PMID: 37236172 PMCID: PMC10251736 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acd95c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Objective:The ability to generate electric fields in specific targets remotely would transform manipulations of processes that rest on electrical signaling.Approach:This article shows that focal electric fields are generated from distance by combining two orthogonal, remotely applied energies-magnetic and focused ultrasonic fields. The effect derives from the Lorentz force equation applied to magnetic and ultrasonic fields.Main results:We elicited this effect using standard hardware and confirmed that the generated electric fields align with the Lorentz equation. The effect significantly and safely modulated human peripheral nerves and deep brain regions of non-human primates.Significance:This approach opens a new set of applications in which electric fields are generated at high spatiotemporal resolution within intact biological tissues or materials, thus circumventing the limitations of traditional electrode-based procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Webb
- University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States of America
| | - Rahul Cheeniyil
- University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States of America
| | - Matthew Wilson
- University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States of America
| | - Jan Kubanek
- University of Utah, 36 S Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States of America
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Webb TD, Wilson MG, Odéen H, Kubanek J. Sustained modulation of primate deep brain circuits with focused ultrasonic waves. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:798-805. [PMID: 37080427 PMCID: PMC10330836 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial focused ultrasound has the potential to noninvasively modulate deep brain circuits and impart sustained, neuroplastic effects. OBJECTIVE Bring the approach closer to translations by demonstrating sustained modulation of deep brain circuits and choice behavior in task-performing non-human primates. METHODS Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound of 30 s in duration was delivered in a controlled manner into deep brain targets (left or right lateral geniculate nucleus; LGN) of non-human primates while the subjects decided whether a left or a right visual target appeared first. While the animals performed the task, we recorded intracranial EEG from occipital screws. The ultrasound was delivered into the deep brain targets daily for a period of more than 6 months. RESULTS The brief stimulation induced effects on choice behavior that persisted up to 15 minutes and were specific to the sonicated target. Stimulation of the left/right LGN increased the proportion of rightward/leftward choices. These effects were accompanied by an increase in gamma activity over visual cortex. The contralateral effect on choice behavior and the increase in gamma, compared to sham stimulation, suggest that the stimulation excited the target neural circuits. There were no detrimental effects on the animals' discrimination performance over the months-long course of the stimulation. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that brief, 30-s ultrasonic stimulation induces neuroplastic effects specifically in the target deep brain circuits, and that the stimulation can be applied daily without detrimental effects. These findings encourage repeated applications of transcranial ultrasound to malfunctioning deep brain circuits in humans with the goal of providing a durable therapeutic reset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor D Webb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 South Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America.
| | - Matthew G Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 South Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
| | - Henrik Odéen
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, 729 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States of America
| | - Jan Kubanek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 South Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America.
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