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Mehta RI, Ranjan M, Haut MW, Carpenter JS, Rezai AR. Focused Ultrasound for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2024; 32:681-698. [PMID: 39322357 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2024.03.001] [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] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death and disability and pose a looming global public health crisis. Despite progress in understanding biological and molecular factors associated with these disorders and their progression, effective disease modifying treatments are presently limited. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In these contexts, applications of FUS include neuroablation, neuromodulation, and/or blood-brain barrier opening with and without facilitated intracerebral drug delivery. Here, the authors review preclinical evidence and current and emerging applications of FUS for neurodegenerative diseases and summarize future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi I Mehta
- Department of Neuroradiology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University.
| | - Manish Ranjan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University
| | - Marc W Haut
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University
| | - Jeffrey S Carpenter
- Department of Neuroradiology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Neurosurgery, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University
| | - Ali R Rezai
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University; Department of Neurosurgery, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University
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Cox SS, Connolly DJ, Peng X, Badran BW. A Comprehensive Review of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Parameters and Applications in Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders. Neuromodulation 2024:S1094-7159(24)00662-7. [PMID: 39230530 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is gaining increased interest as a potential therapeutic modality for a range of neuropsychiatric diseases. Current neuromodulation modalities often require a choice between high spatial fidelity or invasiveness. LIFU is unique in this regard because it provides high spatial acuity of both superficial and deep neural structures while remaining noninvasive. This new form of noninvasive brain stimulation may provide exciting potential treatment options for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders involving aberrant neurocircuitry within deep brain structures, including pain and substance use disorders. Furthermore, LIFU is compatible with noninvasive neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, making it a useful tool for more precise clinical neuroscience research to further understand the central nervous system. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we provide a review of the most recent LIFU literature covering three key domains: 1) the history of focused ultrasound technology, comparing it with other forms of neuromodulation, 2) the parameters and most up-to-date proposed mechanisms of LIFU, and finally, 3) a consolidation of the current literature to date surrounding the clinical research that has used LIFU for the modification or amelioration of several neuropsychiatric conditions. RESULTS The impact of LIFU including poststroke motor changes, pain, mood disorders, disorders of consciousness, dementia, and substance abuse is discussed. CONCLUSIONS Although still in its infancy, LIFU is a promising tool that has the potential to change the way we approach and treat neuropsychiatric disorders. In this quickly evolving field, this review serves as a snapshot of the current understanding of LIFU in neuropsychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S Cox
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Dillon J Connolly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Xiaolong Peng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Bashar W Badran
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Scott K, Klaus SP. Focused ultrasound therapy for Alzheimer's disease: exploring the potential for targeted amyloid disaggregation. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1426075. [PMID: 39165269 PMCID: PMC11333319 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1426075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by beta-amyloid plaque accumulation and cognitive decline. The limited efficacy and significant side effects of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody therapies have prompted exploration into innovative treatments like focused ultrasound therapy. Focused ultrasound shows promise as a non-invasive technique for disrupting the blood-brain barrier, potentially enhancing drug delivery directly to the brain and improving the penetration of existing therapeutic agents. Methods This systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases, focusing on studies published in the last ten years that examined the use of low-intensity focused ultrasound for blood-brain barrier disruption in Alzheimer's disease. The search strategy encompassed terms related to Alzheimer's disease, focused ultrasound, and the blood-brain barrier. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence framework. Results Twelve studies were analyzed, the results of which suggested that low intensity focused ultrasound when combined with microbubbles may safely and transiently disrupt the blood-brain barrier. These studies, primarily early-phase and observational, highlight the potential feasibility of focused ultrasound in facilitating drug delivery to the brain for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Notably, one study reported positive impacts on cognitive tests, suggesting potential direct therapeutic effects of focused ultrasound beyond blood-brain barrier disruption. Conclusion The results of the included studies indicate the use of focused ultrasound in Alzheimer's disease treatment might be safe and effective in transiently opening the blood-brain barrier. Although current evidence is promising, further research is needed to establish generalizability. Future studies should also aim to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of low-intensity focused ultrasound as well as microbubbles for blood-brain barrier opening and explore potential clinical benefits beyond blood-brain barrier opening such as impacts on cognitive outcomes. Future studies should also aim for greater participant diversity to ensure findings are applicable across the full spectrum of Alzheimer's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Scott
- TCD School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen P. Klaus
- TCD School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Pellow C, Pichardo S, Pike GB. A systematic review of preclinical and clinical transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation and opportunities for functional connectomics. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:734-751. [PMID: 38880207 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.06.005] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound has surged forward as a non-invasive and disruptive tool for neuromodulation with applications in basic neuroscience research and the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive overview and update of preclinical and clinical transcranial low intensity ultrasound for neuromodulation and emphasize the emerging role of functional brain mapping to guide, better understand, and predict responses. METHODS A systematic review was conducted by searching the Web of Science and Scopus databases for studies on transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation, both in humans and animals. RESULTS 187 relevant studies were identified and reviewed, including 116 preclinical and 71 clinical reports with subjects belonging to diverse cohorts. Milestones of ultrasound neuromodulation are described within an overview of the broader landscape. General neural readouts and outcome measures are discussed, potential confounds are noted, and the emerging use of functional magnetic resonance imaging is highlighted. CONCLUSION Ultrasound neuromodulation has emerged as a powerful tool to study and treat a range of conditions and its combination with various neural readouts has significantly advanced this platform. In particular, the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging has yielded exciting inferences into ultrasound neuromodulation and has the potential to advance our understanding of brain function, neuromodulatory mechanisms, and ultimately clinical outcomes. It is anticipated that these preclinical and clinical trials are the first of many; that transcranial low intensity focused ultrasound, particularly in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging, has the potential to enhance treatment for a spectrum of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Pellow
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Samuel Pichardo
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - G Bruce Pike
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Matt E, Radjenovic S, Mitterwallner M, Beisteiner R. Current state of clinical ultrasound neuromodulation. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1420255. [PMID: 38962179 PMCID: PMC11219564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1420255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Unmatched by other non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, transcranial ultrasound (TUS) offers highly focal stimulation not only on the cortical surface but also in deep brain structures. These unique attributes are invaluable in both basic and clinical research and might open new avenues for treating neurological and psychiatric diseases. Here, we provide a concise overview of the expanding volume of clinical investigations in recent years and upcoming research initiatives concerning focused ultrasound neuromodulation. Currently, clinical TUS research addresses a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as pain, dementia, movement disorders, psychiatric conditions, epilepsy, disorders of consciousness, and developmental disorders. As demonstrated in sham-controlled randomized studies, TUS neuromodulation improved cognitive functions and mood, and alleviated symptoms in schizophrenia and autism. Further, preliminary uncontrolled evidence suggests relieved anxiety, enhanced motor functions in movement disorders, reduced epileptic seizure frequency, improved responsiveness in patients with minimally conscious state, as well as pain reduction after neuromodulatory TUS. While constrained by the relatively modest number of investigations, primarily consisting of uncontrolled feasibility trials with small sample sizes, TUS holds encouraging prospects for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. Larger sham-controlled randomized trials, alongside further basic research into the mechanisms of action and optimal sonication parameters, are inevitably needed to unfold the full potential of TUS neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roland Beisteiner
- Functional Brain Diagnostics and Therapy, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Antoniou A, Evripidou N, Damianou C. Focused ultrasound heating in brain tissue/skull phantoms with 1 MHz single-element transducer. J Ultrasound 2024; 27:263-274. [PMID: 37517052 PMCID: PMC11178743 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-023-00810-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aims to provide insights on the practicality of using single-element transducers for transcranial Focused Ultrasound (tFUS) thermal applications. METHODS FUS sonications were performed through skull phantoms embedding agar-based tissue mimicking gels using a 1 MHz single-element spherically focused transducer. The skull phantoms were 3D printed with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Resin thermoplastics having the exact skull bone geometry of a healthy volunteer. The temperature field distribution during and after heating was monitored in a 3 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner using MR thermometry. The effect of the skull's thickness on intracranial heating was investigated. RESULTS A single FUS sonication at focal acoustic intensities close to 1580 W/cm2 for 60 s in free field heated up the agar phantom to ablative temperatures reaching about 90 °C (baseline of 37 °C). The ABS skull strongly blocked the ultrasonic waves, resulting in zero temperature increase within the phantom. Considerable heating was achieved through the Resin skull, but it remained at hyperthermia levels. Conversely, tFUS through a 1 mm Resin skull showed enhanced ultrasonic penetration and heating, with the focal temperature reaching 70 °C. CONCLUSIONS The ABS skull demonstrated poorer performance in terms of tFUS compared to the Resin skull owing to its higher ultrasonic attenuation and porosity. The thin Resin phantom of 1 mm thickness provided an efficient acoustic window for delivering tFUS and heating up deep phantom areas. The results of such studies could be particularly useful for accelerating the establishment of a wider range of tFUS applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Nikolas Evripidou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus.
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Zhu P, Simon I, Kokalari I, Kohane DS, Rwei AY. Miniaturized therapeutic systems for ultrasound-modulated drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous system. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115275. [PMID: 38442747 PMCID: PMC11031353 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115275] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound is a promising technology to address challenges in drug delivery, including limited drug penetration across physiological barriers and ineffective targeting. Here we provide an overview of the significant advances made in recent years in overcoming technical and pharmacological barriers using ultrasound-assisted drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous system. We commence by exploring the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and its interaction with tissue. The mechanisms of ultrasonic-enhanced drug delivery are examined, as well as the relevant tissue barriers. We highlight drug transport through such tissue barriers utilizing insonation alone, in combination with ultrasound contrast agents (e.g., microbubbles), and through innovative particulate drug delivery systems. Furthermore, we review advances in systems and devices for providing therapeutic ultrasound, as their practicality and accessibility are crucial for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pancheng Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands; State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 210016, Nanjing, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ignasi Simon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Ida Kokalari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel S Kohane
- Laboratory for Biomaterials and Drug Delivery, Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Alina Y Rwei
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands.
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Lee K, Park TY, Lee W, Kim H. A review of functional neuromodulation in humans using low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:407-438. [PMID: 38645585 PMCID: PMC11026350 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-024-00369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasonic neuromodulation is a rapidly burgeoning field where low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), with exquisite spatial resolution and deep tissue penetration, is used to non-invasively activate or suppress neural activity in specific brain regions. Over the past decade, there has been a rapid increase of tFUS neuromodulation studies in healthy humans and subjects with central nervous system (CNS) disease conditions, including a recent surge of clinical investigations in patients. This narrative review summarized the findings of human neuromodulation studies using either tFUS or unfocused transcranial ultrasound (TUS) reported from 2013 to 2023. The studies were categorized into two separate sections: healthy human research and clinical studies. A total of 42 healthy human investigations were reviewed as grouped by targeted brain regions, including various cortical, subcortical, and deep brain areas including the thalamus. For clinical research, a total of 22 articles were reviewed for each studied CNS disease condition, including chronic pain, disorder of consciousness, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorder, drug-resistant epilepsy, and stroke. Detailed information on subjects/cohorts, target brain regions, sonication parameters, outcome readouts, and stimulatory efficacies were tabulated for each study. In later sections, considerations for planning tFUS neuromodulation in humans were also concisely discussed. With an excellent safety profile to date, the rapid growth of human tFUS research underscores the increasing interest and recognition of its significant potential in the field of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), offering theranostic potential for neurological and psychiatric disease conditions and neuroscientific tools for functional brain mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuheon Lee
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Young Park
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wonhye Lee
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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Shen C, Wang ZD, Qian WJ, Wu CF, Qian SR, Tang T. Bibliometric Analysis of Brain Stimulation Technologies in Sleep Disorders. Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942687. [PMID: 38439525 PMCID: PMC10924428 DOI: 10.12659/msm.942687] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disorders are a common disease faced by people today and can lead to fatigue, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and even death. In recent years, the development of brain stimulation techniques has provided a new perspective for the treatment of sleep disorders. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analyses related to sleep disorders and brain stimulation techniques. Therefore, this study analyzed the application status and trend of brain stimulation technology in sleep disorder research. MATERIAL AND METHODS Articles and reviews published between 1999 and 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science. CiteSpace was used to visually analyze the publications, countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. RESULTS A total of 459 publications were obtained. The number of studies was shown to be on a general upward trend. The country with the largest number of publications was the United States; UDICE-French Research Universities had the highest number of publications; Neurology had the highest citation frequency; 90% of the top 10 references cited were from Journal Citation Reports Q1; Brigo was the author with the highest number of publications; and the most frequent keywords were "transcranial magnetic stimulation", "deep brain stimulation", and "Parkinson disease". CONCLUSIONS Our study used CiteSpace software to analyze 459 studies published since 1999 on brain stimulation techniques for the treatment of sleep disorders, revealing research trends and the current state of the field. Our results will help researchers to understand the existing research quickly and provide direction for future research.
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Chaves JCS, Wasielewska JM, Cuní-López C, Rantanen LM, Lee S, Koistinaho J, White AR, Oikari LE. Alzheimer's disease brain endothelial-like cells reveal differential drug transporter expression and modulation by potentially therapeutic focused ultrasound. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00299. [PMID: 38241156 PMCID: PMC10903103 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.10.009] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has a key function in maintaining homeostasis in the brain, partly modulated by transporters, which are highly expressed in brain endothelial cells (BECs). Transporters mediate the uptake or efflux of compounds to and from the brain and they can also challenge the delivery of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently there is a limited understanding of changes in BBB transporters in AD. To investigate this, we generated brain endothelial-like cells (iBECs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with familial AD (FAD) Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutation and identified AD-specific differences in transporter expression compared to control (ctrl) iBECs. We first characterized the expression levels of 12 BBB transporters in AD-, Ctrl-, and isogenic (PSEN1 corrected) iBECs to identify any AD specific differences. We then exposed the cells to focused ultrasound (FUS) in the absence (FUSonly) or presence of microbubbles (MB) (FUS+MB), which is a novel therapeutic method that can be used to transiently open the BBB to increase drug delivery into the brain, however its effects on BBB transporter expression are largely unknown. Following FUSonly and FUS+MB, we investigated whether the expression or activity of key transporters could be modulated. Our findings demonstrate that PSEN1 mutant FAD (PSEN1AD) possess phenotypical differences compared to control iBECs in BBB transporter expression and function. Additionally, we show that FUSonly and FUS+MB can modulate BBB transporter expression and functional activity in iBECs, having potential implications on drug penetration and amyloid clearance. These findings highlight the differential responses of patient cells to FUS treatment, with patient-derived models likely providing an important tool for modelling therapeutic effects of FUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana C S Chaves
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Joanna M Wasielewska
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Carla Cuní-López
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura M Rantanen
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Serine Lee
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neuroscience Center, Kuopio, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anthony R White
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lotta E Oikari
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Adams JA, Uryash A, Lopez JR. Harnessing Passive Pulsatile Shear Stress for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Intervention. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 98:387-401. [PMID: 38393906 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231010] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects more than 40 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of dementia. This disease is a challenge for both patients and caregivers and puts a significant strain on the global healthcare system. To address this issue, the Lancet Commission recommends focusing on reducing modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and physical inactivity. Passive pulsatile shear stress (PPSS) interventions, which use devices like whole-body periodic acceleration, periodic acceleration along the Z-axis (pGz), and the Jogging Device, have shown significant systemic and cellular effects in preclinical and clinical models which address these modifiable risks factors. Based on this, we propose that PPSS could be a potential non-pharmacological and non-invasive preventive or therapeutic strategy for AD. We perform a comprehensive review of the biological basis based on all publications of PPSS using these devices and demonstrate their effects on the various aspects of AD. We draw from this comprehensive analysis to support our hypothesis. We then delve into the possible application of PPSS as an innovative intervention. We discuss how PPSS holds promise in ameliorating hypertension and diabetes while mitigating physical inactivity, potentially offering a holistic approach to AD prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Adams
- Division of Neonatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
| | - Arkady Uryash
- Division of Neonatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
| | - Jose R Lopez
- Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
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12
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Deveney CM, Surya JR, Haroon JM, Mahdavi KD, Hoffman KR, Enemuo KC, Jordan KG, Becerra SA, Kuhn T, Bystritsky A, Jordan SE. Transcranial focused ultrasound for the treatment of tremor: A preliminary case series. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:35-38. [PMID: 38128826 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential tremor (ET) can be debilitating. Treatments for ET include beta-blockers and surgical interventions. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) may offer an office-based non-invasive alternative. OBJECTIVE This pilot open label clinical trial explores safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of LIFU in treatment of ET. METHODS We report outcomes from the first 10 participants in this IRB-approved trial of LIFU for treatment of ET. The ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim) was targeted using structural and functional MRI. Participants underwent eight 10-min sessions of LIFU targeting the contralateral (Vim) to the most affected hand. Safety was closely monitored; Global Rating of Change (GRC) and The Essential Tremor Rating Scale (TETRAS) scores were collected. RESULTS No adverse effects were reported. Eight participants reported a GRC ≥2. TETRAS performance subscale demonstrated clinically significant improvement in all participants. CONCLUSION Preliminary findings support LIFU's safety and feasibility. The potential efficacy encourages additional sham-controlled studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Deveney
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
| | - J R Surya
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - J M Haroon
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - K D Mahdavi
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - K R Hoffman
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - K C Enemuo
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - K G Jordan
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - S A Becerra
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - T Kuhn
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, USA
| | - A Bystritsky
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, USA
| | - S E Jordan
- The Regenesis Project, Santa Monica, CA, USA; University of California Los Angeles, Department of Neurology, USA
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Mattay RR, Kim K, Shah L, Shah B, Sugrue L, Safoora F, Ozhinsky E, Narsinh KH. MR Thermometry during Transcranial MR Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound Procedures: A Review. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023; 45:1-8. [PMID: 38123912 PMCID: PMC10756580 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a8038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Interest in transcranial MR imaging-guided focused ultrasound procedures has recently grown. These incisionless procedures enable precise focal ablation of brain tissue using real-time monitoring by MR thermometry. This article will provide an updated review on clinically applicable technical underpinnings and considerations of proton resonance frequency MR thermometry, the most common clinically used MR thermometry sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav R Mattay
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
| | - Kisoo Kim
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
| | - Lubdha Shah
- Department of Radiology and Neurosurgery (L. Shah), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Bhavya Shah
- Department of Radiology (B.S.), University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
| | - Leo Sugrue
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
- Department of Psychiatry (L. Sugrue), University of California San Francisco, California
| | - Fatima Safoora
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
| | - Eugene Ozhinsky
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
| | - Kazim H Narsinh
- From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (R.R.M., K.K., L. Sugrue, F.S., E.O., K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
- Department of Neurological Surgery (K.H.N.), University of California San Francisco, California
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14
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Jourdain R, Chivukula VK, Bashur CA. Modeling Gasotransmitter Availability to Brain Capillary Endothelial Cells with Ultrasound-sensitive Microbubbles. Pharm Res 2023; 40:2399-2411. [PMID: 37783924 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03606-w] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia results from blood components passing through disrupted blood brain barriers (BBBs). Current treatments can reduce further progress of neuronal damage but do not treat the primary cause. Instead, these treatments typically aim to temporarily disrupt the BBB. Alternatively, this study computationally assessed the feasibility of delivering carbon monoxide (CO) from ultrasound-sensitive microbubbles (MBs) as a strategy to promote BBB repair and integrity. CO can interact with heme-containing compounds within cells and promote cell growth. However, careful dose control is critical for safety and efficacy because CO also binds at high affinity to hemoglobin (Hb). METHODS Ultrasound activation was simulated at the internal carotid artery, and CO released from the resulting MB rupture was tracked along the shortest path to the BBB for several activation times and doses. The CO dose available to brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) was predicted by considering hemodynamics, mass transport, and binding kinetics. RESULTS The half-life of CO binding to Hb indicated that CO is available to interact with BCECs for several cardiac cycles. Further, MB and COHb concentrations would not be near toxic levels and free Hb would be available. The axisymmetric model indicated that biologically-relevant CO concentrations will be available to BCECs, and these levels can be sustained with controlled ultrasound activation. A patient-specific geometry shows that while vessel tortuosity provides a heterogeneous response, a relevant CO concentration could still be achieved. CONCLUSIONS This computational study demonstrates feasibility of the CO / MB strategy, and that controlled delivery is important for viability of this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubens Jourdain
- Department of Biomedical, Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Venkat Keshav Chivukula
- Department of Biomedical, Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Chris A Bashur
- Department of Biomedical, Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, USA.
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15
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Hughes A, Khan DS, Alkins R. Current and Emerging Systems for Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1479-1490. [PMID: 37100672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
With an ever-growing list of neurological applications of focused ultrasound (FUS), there has been a consequent increase in the variety of systems for delivering ultrasound energy to the brain. Specifically, recent successful pilot clinical trials of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening with FUS have generated substantial interest in the future applications of this relatively novel therapy, with divergent, purpose-built technologies emerging. With many of these technologies at various stages of pre-clinical and clinical investigation, this article seeks to provide an overview and analysis of the numerous medical devices in active use and under development for FUS-mediated BBB opening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec Hughes
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Dure S Khan
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan Alkins
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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16
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Beisteiner R, Hallett M, Lozano AM. Ultrasound Neuromodulation as a New Brain Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205634. [PMID: 36961104 PMCID: PMC10190662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Within the last decade, ultrasound has been "rediscovered" as a technique for brain therapies. Modern technologies allow focusing ultrasound through the human skull for highly focal tissue ablation, clinical neuromodulatory brain stimulation, and targeted focal blood-brain-barrier opening. This article gives an overview on the state-of-the-art of the most recent application: ultrasound neuromodulation as a new brain therapy. Although research centers have existed for decades, the first treatment centers were not established until 2020, and clinical applications are spreading rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Beisteiner
- Department of NeurologyFunctional Brain Diagnostics and TherapyHigh Field MR CenterMedical University of ViennaSpitalgasse 23Vienna1090Austria
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control SectionNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Institutes of Health10 Center DriveBethesdaMD20892–1428USA
| | - Andres M. Lozano
- Division of NeurosurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of TorontoTorontoONM5T 2S8Canada
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17
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Asher R, Hyun I, Head M, Cosgrove GR, Silbersweig D. Neuroethical implications of focused ultrasound for neuropsychiatric illness. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:806-814. [PMID: 37150289 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.04.020] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MR-guided focused ultrasound is a promising intervention for treatment-resistant mental illness, and merits contextualized ethical exploration in relation to more extensive ethical literature regarding other psychosurgical and neuromodulation treatment options for this patient population. To our knowledge, this topic has not yet been explored in the published literature. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss in detail the neuroethical implications of MR-guided focused ultrasound for neuropsychiatric illness as an emerging treatment modality. METHODS Due to the lack of published literature on the topic, the approach involved a detailed survey and review of technical and medical literature relevant to focused ultrasound and established ethical issues related to alternative treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant, severe and persistent mental illness. The manuscript is structured according to thematic and topical findings. RESULTS This technology has potential benefits for patients suffering with severe mental illness, compared with established alternatives. The balance of technical, neuroscientific and clinical considerations should inform ethical deliberations. The nascent literature base, nuances in legal classification and permissibility depending upon jurisdiction, influences of past ethical issues associated with alternative treatments, tone and framing in media articles, and complexity of clinical trials all influence ethical assessment and evaluations of multiple stakeholders. Recommendations for future research are provided based on these factors. CONCLUSION Salient ethical inquiry should be further explored by researchers, clinicians, and ethicists in a nuanced manner methodologically, one which is informed by past and present ethical issues related to alternative treatment options, broader psychiatric treatment frameworks, pragmatic implementation challenges, intercultural considerations, and patients' ethical concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Asher
- Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Insoo Hyun
- Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Mitchell Head
- Te Kotahi Research Institute/University of Waikato, Gate 4C, 194H Hillcrest Rd, Hillcrest, Hamilton, 3216, Aotearoa, New Zealand.
| | - G Rees Cosgrove
- Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - David Silbersweig
- Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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18
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Lu H, Wang X, Lou X. Current applications for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:780-787. [PMID: 36914938 PMCID: PMC10150909 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002319] [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: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel and minimally invasive technology. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approved unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus-MRgFUS for medication-refractory essential tremor in 2016, studies on new indications, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), psychiatric diseases, and brain tumors, have been on the rise, and MRgFUS has become a promising method to treat such neurological diseases. Currently, as the second most common degenerative disease, PD is a research hotspot in the field of MRgFUS. The actions of MRgFUS on the brain range from thermoablation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, to neuromodulation. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound actions. Generally, high intensity can be used to precisely thermoablate brain targets, whereas low intensity can be used as molecular therapies to modulate neuronal activity and open the BBB in conjunction with injected microbubbles. Here, we aimed to summarize advances in the application of MRgFUS for the treatment of PD, with a focus on thermal ablation, BBB opening, and neuromodulation, in the hope of informing clinicians of current applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxuan Lu
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Lou
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
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19
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Yüksel MM, Sun S, Latchoumane C, Bloch J, Courtine G, Raffin EE, Hummel FC. Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Stroke Recovery: A Novel Deep Brain Stimulation Approach for Neurorehabilitation? IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 4:300-318. [PMID: 38196977 PMCID: PMC10776095 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2023.3263690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroke as the leading cause of adult long-term disability and has a significant impact on patients, society and socio-economics. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) are considered as potential therapeutic options to enhance functional reorganization and augment the effects of neurorehabilitation. However, non-invasive electrical and magnetic stimulation paradigms are limited by their depth focality trade-off function that does not allow to target deep key brain structures critically important for recovery processes. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is an emerging approach for non-invasive deep brain neuromodulation. Using non-ionizing, ultrasonic waves with millimeter-accuracy spatial resolution, excellent steering capacity and long penetration depth, TUS has the potential to serve as a novel non-invasive deep brain stimulation method to establish unprecedented neuromodulation and novel neurorehabilitation protocols. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview on the current knowledge about the neuromodulatory effects of TUS while discussing the potential of TUS in the field of stroke recovery, with respect to existing NIBS methods. We will address and discuss critically crucial open questions and remaining challenges that need to be addressed before establishing TUS as a new clinical neurorehabilitation approach for motor stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut Martin Yüksel
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneGeneva1201Switzerland
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion1951Switzerland
| | - Shiqi Sun
- Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL)Lausanne1011Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore)EPFL/CHUV/UNILLausanne1011Switzerland
| | - Charles Latchoumane
- Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL)Lausanne1011Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore)EPFL/CHUV/UNILLausanne1011Switzerland
| | - Jocelyne Bloch
- Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore)EPFL/CHUV/UNILLausanne1015Switzerland
- Department of NeurosurgeryLausanne University HospitalLausanne1011Switzerland
| | - Gregoire Courtine
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore)EPFL/CHUV/UNILLausanne1015Switzerland
- Department of NeurosurgeryLausanne University HospitalLausanne1011Switzerland
| | - Estelle Emeline Raffin
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneGeneva1201Switzerland
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion1951Switzerland
| | - Friedhelm Christoph Hummel
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneGeneva1202Switzerland
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind InstituteÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion1951Switzerland
- Clinical NeuroscienceUniversity of Geneva Medical SchoolGeneva1211Switzerland
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20
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Hu YY, Yang G, Liang XS, Ding XS, Xu DE, Li Z, Ma QH, Chen R, Sun YY. Transcranial low-intensity ultrasound stimulation for treating central nervous system disorders: A promising therapeutic application. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1117188. [PMID: 36970512 PMCID: PMC10030814 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1117188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is a neurostimulation technique that has gradually attracted the attention of researchers, especially as a potential therapy for neurological disorders, because of its high spatial resolution, its good penetration depth, and its non-invasiveness. Ultrasound can be categorized as high-intensity and low-intensity based on the intensity of its acoustic wave. High-intensity ultrasound can be used for thermal ablation by taking advantage of its high-energy characteristics. Low-intensity ultrasound, which produces low energy, can be used as a means to regulate the nervous system. The present review describes the current status of research on low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (LITUS) in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, essential tremor, depression, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies using LITUS to treat the aforementioned neurological disorders and discusses their underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yun Hu
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Yang
- Lab Center, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xue-Song Liang
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Second Clinical College, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xuan-Si Ding
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - De-En Xu
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Sleep Medicine Center, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Quan-Hong Ma
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Quan-Hong Ma
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Chen
| | - Yan-Yun Sun
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Yan-Yun Sun
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21
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Rossitto CP, Devarajan A, Price G, Ali M, Kellner CP. Neuroimaging through Sonolucent Cranioplasty: A Systematic Scoping Review Protocol. Methods Protoc 2022; 5:mps5050080. [PMID: 36287052 PMCID: PMC9612145 DOI: 10.3390/mps5050080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cranioplasty is a neurosurgical procedure in which the skull bone is repaired after craniectomy. Recently, studies have suggested that sonolucent synthetic materials are safe and useful for cranioplasty. Sonolucent cranioplasty (SC) implants provide unprecedented opportunity in adult neurosurgery to monitor neuroanatomy, assess hemodynamics, view devices located within the implant, and conduct focused ultrasound treatments. Current research on SC includes proof-of-concept cadaveric studies, patient-related safety and feasibility studies, and case series demonstrating transcranioplasty ultrasonography (TCUS). The purpose of this protocol is to investigate the current literature on SC use and outcomes in TCUS. We will perform a systematic literature search following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search will be conducted using Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Titles, abstracts, and full texts will be screened. Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools will be utilized. Data extraction points will include subject characteristics, SC implant characteristics, ultrasound characteristics, and sonographic findings. These findings will provide a comprehensive review of the literature on sonolucent cranioplasty and directions for future research.
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22
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Yang FY, Huang LH, Wu MT, Pan ZY. Ultrasound Neuromodulation Reduces Demyelination in a Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710034. [PMID: 36077437 PMCID: PMC9456451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) may serve as targets for remyelination-enhancing therapy. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been demonstrated to ameliorate myelin loss and inhibit neuroinflammation in animal models of brain disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms through which LIPUS stimulates remyelination and glial activation are not well-understood. This study explored the impacts of LIPUS on remyelination and resident cells following lysolecithin (LPC)-induced local demyelination in the hippocampus. Demyelination was induced by the micro-injection of 1.5 μL of 1% LPC into the rat hippocampus, and the treatment groups received daily LIPUS stimulation for 5 days. The therapeutic effects of LIPUS on LPC-induced demyelination were assessed through immunohistochemistry staining. The staining was performed to evaluate remyelination and Iba-1 staining as a microglia marker. Our data revealed that LIPUS significantly increased myelin basic protein (MBP) expression. Moreover, the IHC results showed that LIPUS significantly inhibited glial cell activation, enhanced mature oligodendrocyte density, and promoted brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression at the lesion site. In addition, a heterologous population of microglia with various morphologies can be found in the demyelination lesion after LIPUS treatment. These data show that LIPUS stimulation may serve as a potential treatment for accelerating remyelination through the attenuation of glial activation and the enhancement of mature oligodendrocyte density and BDNF production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yi Yang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2826-7281; Fax: +886-2-2820-1095
| | - Li-Hsin Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ting Wu
- Division of Neurosurgery, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Zih-Yun Pan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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23
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The effects and mechanisms of transcranial ultrasound stimulation combined with cognitive rehabilitation on post-stroke cognitive impairment. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:4315-4321. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05906-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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24
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Sarica C, Nankoo JF, Fomenko A, Grippe TC, Yamamoto K, Samuel N, Milano V, Vetkas A, Darmani G, Cizmeci MN, Lozano AM, Chen R. Human Studies of Transcranial Ultrasound neuromodulation: A systematic review of effectiveness and safety. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:737-746. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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25
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Barbato G, Nisticò R, Triaca V. Exploiting Focused Ultrasound to Aid Intranasal Drug Delivery for Brain Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:786475. [PMID: 35496270 PMCID: PMC9046653 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.786475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel effective therapeutic strategies are needed to treat brain neurodegenerative diseases and to improve the quality of life of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis (ALS) as well as other brain conditions. At present no effective treatment options are available; current therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) improve cognitive symptoms only transiently and in a minor number of patients. Further, most of the amyloid-based phase III clinical trials recently failed in AD, in spite of promising preclinical and phase I-II clinical trials, further pinpointing the need for a better knowledge of the early mechanisms of disease as well as of more effective routes of drug administration. In fact, beyond common pathological events and molecular substrates, each of these diseases preferentially affect defined subpopulations of neurons in specific neuronal circuits (selective neuronal vulnerability), leading to the typical age-related clinical profile. In this perspective, key to successful drug discovery is a robust and reproducible biological validation of potential new molecular targets together with a concomitant set up of protocols/tools for efficient and targeted brain delivery to a specific area of interest. Here we propose and discuss Focused UltraSound aided drug administration as a specific and novel technical approach to achieve optimal concentration of the drug at the target area of interest. We will focus on drug delivery to the brain through the nasal route coupled to FUS as a promising approach to achieve neuroprotection and rescue of cognitive decline in several NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Barbato
- Inno-Sol Srl, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gaetano Barbato, ; Robert Nisticò, ; Viviana Triaca,
| | - Robert Nisticò
- Department of Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Synaptic Plasticity, Fondazione EBRI Rita Levi Montalcini, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gaetano Barbato, ; Robert Nisticò, ; Viviana Triaca,
| | - Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), International Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gaetano Barbato, ; Robert Nisticò, ; Viviana Triaca,
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Saniour I, Robb FJL, Taracila V, Mishra V, Vincent J, Voss HU, Kaplitt MG, Chazen JL, Winkler SA. Characterization of a Low-Profile, Flexible, and Acoustically Transparent Receive-Only MRI Coil Array for High Sensitivity MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound. IEEE ACCESS : PRACTICAL INNOVATIONS, OPEN SOLUTIONS 2022; 10:25062-25072. [PMID: 35600672 PMCID: PMC9119199 DOI: 10.1109/access.2022.3154824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive therapeutic modality for neurodegenerative diseases that employs real-time imaging and thermometry monitoring of targeted regions. MRI is used in guidance of ultrasound treatment; however, the MR image quality in current clinical applications is poor when using the vendor built-in body coil. We present an 8-channel, ultra-thin, flexible, and acoustically transparent receive-only head coil design (FUS-Flex) to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and thus the quality of MR images during MRgFUS procedures. Acoustic simulations/experiments exhibit transparency of the FUS-Flex coil as high as 97% at 650 kHz. Electromagnetic simulations show a SNR increase of 13× over the body coil. In vivo results show an increase of the SNR over the body coil by a factor of 7.3 with 2× acceleration (equivalent to 11× without acceleration) in the brain of a healthy volunteer, which agrees well with simulation. These preliminary results show that the use of a FUS-Flex coil in MRgFUS surgery can increase MR image quality, which could yield improved focal precision, real-time intraprocedural anatomical imaging, and real-time 3D thermometry mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Saniour
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | | | - Vishwas Mishra
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jana Vincent
- MR Engineering, GE Healthcare Coils, Aurora, OH 44202, USA
| | - Henning U Voss
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael G Kaplitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - J Levi Chazen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Simone Angela Winkler
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Sarica C, Fomenko A, Nankoo JF, Darmani G, Vetkas A, Yamamoto K, Lozano AM, Chen R. Toward focused ultrasound neuromodulation in deep brain stimulator implanted patients: Ex-vivo thermal, kinetic and targeting feasibility assessment. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:376-379. [PMID: 35121189 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Can Sarica
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anton Fomenko
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Ghazaleh Darmani
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Artur Vetkas
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kazuaki Yamamoto
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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28
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Beisteiner R. Human Ultrasound Neuromodulation: State of the Art. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020208. [PMID: 35203971 PMCID: PMC8870582 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The first human applications of ultrasound in medicine date back to 1939, when Reimar Pohlmann (Berlin, Germany) published data on therapy of neuralgia with ultrasound [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Beisteiner
- Department of Neurology, Functional Brain Diagnostics and Therapy, High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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29
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Transcranial ultrasound stimulation of the human motor cortex. iScience 2021; 24:103429. [PMID: 34901788 PMCID: PMC8637484 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been 40 years since the report of long-term synaptic plasticity on the rodent brain. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) shows advantages in spatial resolution and penetration depth when compared with electrical or magnetic stimulation. The repetitive TUS (rTUS) can induce cortical excitability alteration on animals, and persistent aftereffects were observed. However, the effects of rTUS on synaptic plasticity in humans remain unelucidated. In the current study, we applied a 15-min rTUS protocol to stimulate left primary motor cortex (l-M1) in 24 male healthy participants. The single-pulsed transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked motor evoked potential and Stop-signal task was applied to measure the rTUS aftereffects. Here, we report that conditioning the human motor cortex using rTUS may produce long-lasting and statistically significant effects on motor cortex excitability as well as motor behavior, without harmful side effects observed. These findings suggest a considerable potential of rTUS in cortical plasticity modulation and clinical intervention for impulsivity-related disorders.
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30
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Liu X, Naomi SSM, Sharon WL, Russell EJ. The Applications of Focused Ultrasound (FUS) in Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: A Systematic Review on Both Animal and Human Studies. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1977-2002. [PMID: 34881081 PMCID: PMC8612615 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the basic ability to function and has imposed an immense burden on the community and health care system. Focused ultrasound (FUS) has recently been proposed as a novel noninvasive therapeutic approach for AD. However, systematic reviews on the FUS application in AD treatment have not been forthcoming. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria to summarize the techniques associated with safety and efficacy, as well as possible underlying mechanisms of FUS effects on AD in animal and human studies. Animal studies demonstrated FUS with microbubbles (FUS-MB) induced blood-brain-barrier (BBB) opening that could facilitate various therapeutic agents entering the brain. Repeated FUS-MB and FUS stimulation can relieve AD pathology and improve cognitive and memory function. Human studies showed repeated FUS-MB are well tolerated with few adverse events and FUS stimulation could enhance local perfusion and neural function, which correlated with cognitive improvement. We conclude that FUS is a feasible and safe therapeutic and drug delivery strategy for AD. However, FUS treatment on humans is still in the early stages and requires further optimization and standardization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Liu
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S. Sta Maria Naomi
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wu Lin Sharon
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - E. Jacobs Russell
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Lim J, Tai HH, Liao WH, Chu YC, Hao CM, Huang YC, Lee CH, Lin SS, Hsu S, Chien YC, Lai DM, Chen WS, Chen CC, Wang JL. ASIC1a is required for neuronal activation via low-intensity ultrasound stimulation in mouse brain. eLife 2021; 10:e61660. [PMID: 34569932 PMCID: PMC8510583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown transcranial low-intensity ultrasound can be potentially a non-invasive neural modulation tool to treat brain diseases. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive and the majority of studies on animal models applying rather high-intensity ultrasound that cannot be safely used in humans. Here, we showed low-intensity ultrasound was able to activate neurons in the mouse brain and repeated ultrasound stimulation resulted in adult neurogenesis in specific brain regions. In vitro calcium imaging studies showed that a specific ultrasound stimulation mode, which combined with both ultrasound-induced pressure and acoustic streaming mechanotransduction, is required to activate cultured cortical neurons. ASIC1a and cytoskeletal proteins were involved in the low-intensity ultrasound-mediated mechanotransduction and cultured neuron activation, which was inhibited by ASIC1a blockade and cytoskeleton-modified agents. In contrast, the inhibition of mechanical-sensitive channels involved in bilayer-model mechanotransduction like Piezo or TRP proteins did not repress the ultrasound-mediated neuronal activation as efficiently. The ASIC1a-mediated ultrasound effects in mouse brain such as immediate response of ERK phosphorylation and DCX marked neurogenesis were statistically significantly compromised by ASIC1a gene deletion. Collated data suggest that ASIC1a is the molecular determinant involved in the mechano-signaling of low-intensity ultrasound that modulates neural activation in mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jormay Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hsiao-Hsin Tai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Wei-Hao Liao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan Hospital UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ya-Cherng Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chen-Ming Hao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yueh-Chun Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Cheng-Han Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shao-Shien Lin
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan Hospital UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Sherry Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ya-Chih Chien
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Dar-Ming Lai
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan Hospital UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Wen-Shiang Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan Hospital UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Jaw-Lin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
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32
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Meng Y, Pople CB, Lea-Banks H, Hynynen K, Lipsman N, Hamani C. Focused ultrasound neuromodulation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 159:221-240. [PMID: 34446247 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging modality for performing incisionless neurosurgical procedures including thermoablation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) modulation. Emerging evidence suggests that low intensity FUS can also be used for neuromodulation with several benefits, including high spatial precision and the possibility of targeting deep brain regions. Here we review the existing data regarding the biological mechanisms of FUS neuromodulation, the characteristics of neuronal activity altered by FUS, emerging indications for FUS neuromodulation, as well as the strengths and limitations of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher B Pople
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Harriet Lea-Banks
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nir Lipsman
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clement Hamani
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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33
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Ren Q, Wang Y, Leng S, Nan X, Zhang B, Shuai X, Zhang J, Xia X, Li Y, Ge Y, Meng X, Zhao C. Substantia Nigra Radiomics Feature Extraction of Parkinson's Disease Based on Magnitude Images of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:646617. [PMID: 34135726 PMCID: PMC8200854 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.646617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is reported that radiomic features extracted from quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) had promising clinical value for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to explore the usefulness of radiomics features based on magnitude images to distinguish PD from non-PD controls. Methods We retrospectively recruited PD patients and controls who underwent brain 3.0T MR including susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). A total of 396 radiomics features were extracted from the SN of 95 PD patients and 95 non-PD controls based on SWI. Intra-/inter-observer correlation coefficients (ICCs) were applied to measure the observer agreement for the radiomic feature extraction. Then the patients were randomly grouped into training and validation sets in a ratio of 7:3. In the training set, the maximum correlation minimum redundancy algorithm (mRMR) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were conducted to filter and choose the optimized subset of features, and a radiomics signature was constructed. Moreover, radiomics signatures were constructed by different machine learning models. Area under the ROC curves (AUCs) were applied to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. Then correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the optimized features and clinical factors. Results The intro-observer CC ranged from 0.82 to 1.0, and the inter-observer CC ranged from 0.77 to 0.99. The LASSO logistic regression model showed good prediction efficacy in the training set [AUC = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI, 0.74-0.88)] and the validation set [AUC = 0.81, 95% CI (0.68-0.91)]. One radiomic feature showed a moderate negative correlation with Hoehn-Yahr stage (r = -0.49, P = 0.012). Conclusion Radiomic predictive features based on SWI magnitude images could reflect the Hoehn-Yahr stage of PD to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingguo Ren
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanshan Leng
- Radiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaomin Nan
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinyan Shuai
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhang
- Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaona Xia
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ye Li
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | | | - Xiangshui Meng
- Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Cuiping Zhao
- Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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Translucent Customized Cranial Implants Made of Clear Polymethylmethacrylate: An Early Outcome Analysis of 55 Consecutive Cranioplasty Cases. Ann Plast Surg 2021; 85:e27-e36. [PMID: 33170582 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0000000000002441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large skull reconstruction, with the use of customized cranial implants, restores cerebral protection, physiologic homeostasis, and one's preoperative appearance. Cranial implants may be composed of either bone or a myriad of alloplastic biomaterials. Recently, patient-specific cranial implants have been fabricated using clear polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a visually transparent and sonolucent variant of standard opaque PMMA. Given the new enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic applications of clear PMMA, we present here a study evaluating all outcomes and complications in a consecutive patient series. METHODS A single-surgeon, retrospective, 3-year study was conducted on all consecutive patients undergoing large cranioplasty with clear PMMA implants (2016-2019). Patients who received clear PMMA implants with embedded neurotechnologies were excluded due to confounding variables. All outcomes were analyzed in detail and compared with previous studies utilizing similar alloplastic implant materials. RESULTS Fifty-five patients underwent cranioplasty with customized clear PMMA implants. Twenty-one (38%) were performed using a single-stage cranioplasty method (ie, craniectomy and cranioplasty performed during the same operation utilizing a prefabricated, oversized design and labor-intense, manual modification), whereas the remaining 34 (62%) underwent a standard, 2-stage reconstruction (craniectomy with a delayed surgery for cranioplasty and minimal-to-no implant modification necessary). The mean cranial defect size was 101.8 cm. The mean follow-up time was 9 months (range, 1.5-39). Major complications requiring additional surgery occurred in 7 patients (13%) consisting of 2 (4%) cerebrospinal fluid leaks, 2 (4%) epidural hematomas, and 3 (4%) infections. In addition, 3 patients developed self-limiting or nonoperative complications including 2 (4%) with new onset seizures and 1 (2%) with delayed scalp healing. CONCLUSIONS This is the first reported consecutive case series of cranioplasty reconstruction using customized clear PMMA implants, demonstrating excellent results with regard to ease of use, safety, and complication rates well below published rates when compared with other alloplastic materials. Clear PMMA also provides additional benefits, such as visual transparency and sonolucency, which is material specific and unavailable with autologous bone. Although these early results are promising, further studies with multicenter investigations are well justified to evaluate long-term outcomes.
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Jameel A, Bain P, Nandi D, Jones B, Gedroyc W. Device profile of exAblate Neuro 4000, the leading system for brain magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound technology: an overview of its safety and efficacy in the treatment of medically refractory essential tremor. Expert Rev Med Devices 2021; 18:429-437. [PMID: 33945369 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2021.1921572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Magnetic Resonance guided Focused UltraSound (MRgFUS) is an emerging technique that utilizes multiple high-energy low-frequency ultrasound beams generated from a multi-element transducer focused onto a single site to cause thermal ablation of the target tissue. The ExAblate Neuro 4000 system is the leading MRgFUS brain system, performing targeted thermal ablation on specific nuclei in the brain. Its precision targeting opens up new and exciting possibilities for future treatments of a wide range of neurological diseases. Areas covered: This article aims to introduce the non-expert reader (clinician and non-clinicians) to the role of the ExAblate Neuro 4000 System in brain MRgFUS. The current clinical uses of the ExAblate system in the brain are explored with a particular focus on Essential Tremor, where internationally there is most experience, this includes reference to current literature. The safety and efficacy of MRgFUS treatments are explored and the challenges the ExAblate system must overcome to balance these juxtaposed outcomes.Expert opinion: We describe the hopes for future clinical uses of the ExAblate Neuro 4000 system to treat neurological disease and consider further advancements in MRgFUS transducer technology that may open up new exciting frontiers within the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Jameel
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter Bain
- Department of Neurosciences, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London UK
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Brynmor Jones
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Wladyslaw Gedroyc
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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36
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Wang Y, Niu L, Meng W, Lin Z, Zou J, Bian T, Huang X, Zhou H, Meng L, Xie P, Zheng H. Ultrasound Stimulation of Periaqueductal Gray Induces Defensive Behaviors. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2021; 68:38-45. [PMID: 32086205 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2020.2975001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) has the potential to noninvasively penetrate the intact skull and to modulate neural activity in the cortex and deep brain nuclei. The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) is associated with the generation of defensive behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine whether LIFUS of the PAG induced defensive behaviors in mice. A 3.8-MHz head-mounted ultrasound transducer with a small focus size (0.5 mm × 0.5 mm) was fabricated in house to precisely stimulate the free-moving mice. The corresponding behaviors were recorded in real time. Avoidance, flight, and freezing were used to assess ultrasound-induced defensive responses. The safety of LIFUS was examined via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Nissl staining. Ultrasound stimulation of the PAG induced multiple defensive behaviors, including location-specific passive avoidance behavior, flight, and freezing. In addition, H&E and Nissl staining verified that LIFUS did not cause any injury to the brain tissue. These findings demonstrate that LIFUS may have neuromodulatory effects on the innate defensive behaviors in mice. LIFUS may be used as a novel neuromodulatory tool for the treatment of psychological diseases associated with defensive behaviors.
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37
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Beisteiner R, Lozano AM. Transcranial Ultrasound Innovations Ready for Broad Clinical Application. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2002026. [PMID: 33304757 PMCID: PMC7709976 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain diseases are one of the most important problems in our rapidly ageing society. Currently, there are not many effective medications and surgical options are limited due to invasiveness and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques cannot be well targeted and cannot access deep brain areas. A novel therapy is transcranial ultrasound which allows a variety of treatments without opening of the skull. Recent technological developments generated three revolutionary options including 1) targeted non-invasive surgery, 2) highly targeted drug, antibody, or gene therapy via local opening of the blood-brain barrier, and 3) highly targeted brain stimulation to improve pathological brain functions. This progress report summarizes the current state of the art for clinical application and the results of recent patient investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Beisteiner
- Department of NeurologyMedical University of ViennaVienna1090Austria
| | - Andres M. Lozano
- Division of NeurosurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5T 2S8Canada
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38
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Meng Y, Hynynen K, Lipsman N. Applications of focused ultrasound in the brain: from thermoablation to drug delivery. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 17:7-22. [PMID: 33106619 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00418-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a disruptive medical technology, and its implementation in the clinic represents the culmination of decades of research. Lying at the convergence of physics, engineering, imaging, biology and neuroscience, FUS offers the ability to non-invasively and precisely intervene in key circuits that drive common and challenging brain conditions. The actions of FUS in the brain take many forms, ranging from transient blood-brain barrier opening and neuromodulation to permanent thermoablation. Over the past 5 years, we have seen a dramatic expansion of indications for and experience with FUS in humans, with a resultant exponential increase in academic and public interest in the technology. Applications now span the clinical spectrum in neurological and psychiatric diseases, with insights still emerging from preclinical models and human trials. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic ultrasound and its current and emerging indications in the brain. We examine the potential impact of FUS on the landscape of brain therapies as well as the challenges facing further advancement and broader adoption of this promising minimally invasive therapeutic alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics and Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nir Lipsman
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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