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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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Reinhardt N, Schmitz C, Milz S, de la Fuente M. Influence of the skull bone and brain tissue on the sound field in transcranial extracorporeal shock wave therapy: an ex vivo study. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2024; 69:27-37. [PMID: 37732512 DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2022-0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Focused ultrasound is mainly known for focal ablation and localized hyperthermia of tissue. During the last decade new treatment options were developed for neurological indications based on blood-brain-barrier opening or neuromodulation. Recently, the transcranial application of shock waves has been a subject of research. However, the mechanisms of action are not yet understood. Hence, it is necessary to know the energy that reaches the brain during the treatment and the focusing characteristics within the tissue. METHODS The sound field of a therapeutic extracorporeal shock wave transducer was investigated after passing human skull bone (n=5) or skull bone with brain tissue (n=2) in this ex vivo study. The maximum and minimum pressure distribution and the focal pressure curves were measured at different intensity levels and penetration depths, and compared to measurements in water. RESULTS Mean peak negative pressures of up to -4.97 MPa were reached behind the brain tissue. The positive peak pressure was attenuated by between 20.85 and 25.38 dB/cm by the skull bone. Additional damping by the brain tissue corresponded to between 0.29 and 0.83 dB/cm. Compared to the measurements in water, the pulse intensity integral in the focal spot was reduced by 84 % by the skull bone and by additional 2 % due to the brain tissue, resulting in a total damping of up to 86 %. The focal position was shifted up to 8 mm, whereas the basic shape of the pressure curves was preserved. CONCLUSIONS Positive effects may be stimulated by transcranial shock wave therapy but damage cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Reinhardt
- Chair of Medical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schmitz
- Chair of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Milz
- Chair of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Zhou S, Zhang J, Chen F, Wong TWL, Ng SSM, Li Z, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Guo S, Hu X. Automatic theranostics for long-term neurorehabilitation after stroke. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1154795. [PMID: 37261267 PMCID: PMC10228725 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1154795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianing Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Thomson Wai-Lung Wong
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shamay S. M. Ng
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zengyong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technical Aids for Old-Age Disability, National Research Centre for Rehabilitation Technical Aids Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjin Zhou
- Health Science Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaomin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China
- University Research Facility in Behavioural and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Zhang MF, Chen WZ, Huang FB, Peng ZY, Quan YC, Tang ZM. Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation facilitates hand motor function and cortical excitability: A crossover, randomized, double blind study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:926027. [PMID: 36147048 PMCID: PMC9486841 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.926027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a new form of non-invasive brain stimulation. Low-intensity TUS is considered highly safe. We aimed to investigate the effect of low-intensity TUS on hand reaction responses and cortical excitability in healthy adults. Methods This study used a crossover, randomized, and double-blind design. A total of 20 healthy participants were recruited for the study. All the participants received TUS and sham stimulation on separate days in random order. The finger tapping test (tapping score by using a tablet) and motor evoked potential (MEP) were assessed before and after stimulation, and discomfort levels were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) score. Results No significant differences in tapping score or MEP amplitude between the two experimental conditions were registered before stimulation. After stimulation, tapping scores were increased regardless of the specific treatment, and the real stimulation condition receiving TUS (90.4 ± 11.0 points) outperformed the sham stimulation condition (86.1 ± 8.4 points) (p = 0.002). The MEP latency of real TUS (21.85 ± 1.33 ms) was shorter than that of sham TUS (22.42 ± 1.43 ms) (p < 0.001). MEP amplitude of real TUS (132.18 ± 23.28 μV) was higher than that of sham TUS (114.74 ± 25.5 μV, p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the discomfort score between the two conditions (p = 0.163). Conclusion Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) can decrease the hand reaction response time and latency of the MEP, enhance the excitability of the motor cortex, and improve hand motor function in healthy individuals without obvious discomfort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Fei Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yuedong Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, China
| | - Wei-Zhou Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yuedong Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, China
| | - Fub-Biao Huang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Peng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yuedong Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, China
| | - Ying-Chan Quan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yuedong Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yuedong Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Ming Tang
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Dell'Italia J, Sanguinetti JL, Monti MM, Bystritsky A, Reggente N. Current State of Potential Mechanisms Supporting Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Neuromodulation. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:872639. [PMID: 35547195 PMCID: PMC9081930 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.872639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has been gaining traction as a non-invasive neuromodulation technology due to its superior spatial specificity relative to transcranial electrical/magnetic stimulation. Despite a growing literature of LIFU-induced behavioral modifications, the mechanisms of action supporting LIFU's parameter-dependent excitatory and suppressive effects are not fully understood. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to the underlying mechanics of both acoustic energy and neuronal membranes, defining the primary variables for a subsequent review of the field's proposed mechanisms supporting LIFU's neuromodulatory effects. An exhaustive review of the empirical literature was also conducted and studies were grouped based on the sonication parameters used and behavioral effects observed, with the goal of linking empirical findings to the proposed theoretical mechanisms and evaluating which model best fits the existing data. A neuronal intramembrane cavitation excitation model, which accounts for differential effects as a function of cell-type, emerged as a possible explanation for the range of excitatory effects found in the literature. The suppressive and other findings need additional theoretical mechanisms and these theoretical mechanisms need to have established relationships to sonication parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Dell'Italia
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: John Dell'Italia
| | - Joseph L. Sanguinetti
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Martin M. Monti
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Bystritsky
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA, United States
- Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
| | - Nicco Reggente
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA, United States
- Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
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Xie P, Hao Y, Chen X, Jin Z, Cheng S, Li X, Liu L, Yuan Y, Li X. Enhancement of functional corticomuscular coupling after transcranial ultrasound stimulation in mice. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35272276 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac5c8b] [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: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), a large penetration depth and high spatial resolution technology, has developed rapidly in recent years. This study aimed to explore and evaluate the neuromodulation effects of TUS on mouse motor neural circuits under different parameters. APPROACH Our study used functional corticomuscular coupling (FCMC) as an index to explore the modulation mechanism for movement control under different TUS parameters (intensity [Isppa] and stimulation duration [SD]). We collected local field potential (LFP) and tail electromyographic (EMG) data under TUS in healthy mice and then introduced the time-frequency coherence method to analyze the FCMC before and after TUS in the time-frequency domain. After that, we defined the relative coherence area (RCA) to quantify the coherence between LFP and EMG under TUS. MAIN RESULTS The FCMC at theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands was enhanced after TUS, and the neuromodulation efficacy mainly occurred in the lower frequency band (theta and alpha band). After TUS with different parameters, the FCMC in all selected frequency bands showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing. Further analysis showed that the maximum coupling value of theta band appeared from 0.2 to 0.4 s, and that the maximum coupling value in alpha and gamma band appeared from 0 to 0.2 s. SIGNIFICANCE The aforementioned results demonstrate that FCMC in the motor cortex could be modulated by TUS. We provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the modulation mechanism of TUS parameters and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xie
- Yanshan University, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, 066004, CHINA
| | - Yingying Hao
- Yanshan University School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066004, CHINA
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Yanshan University, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, 066004, CHINA
| | - Ziqiang Jin
- Yanshan University, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066004, CHINA
| | - Shengcui Cheng
- Yanshan University, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066004, CHINA
| | - Xin Li
- Yanshan University, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, 066004, CHINA
| | - Lanxiang Liu
- People's Hospital, Qinhuangdao, People's Hospital, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, 066004, CHINA
| | - Yi Yuan
- Yanshan University School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066004, CHINA
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, Beijing, 100000, CHINA
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Pérez-Neri I, González-Aguilar A, Sandoval H, Pineda C, Ríos C. Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:334-348. [PMID: 32691714 PMCID: PMC8033967 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200720175253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background For more than seven decades, ultrasound has been used as an imaging and diagnostic tool. Today, new technologies, such as focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation, have revealed some innovative, potential applications. However, those applications have been barely studied to deal with neuropathic pain (NP), a cluster of chronic pain syndromes with a restricted response to conventional pharmaceuticals. Objective To analyze the therapeutic potential of low-intensity (LIFUS) and high-intensity (HIFUS) FUS for managing NP. Methods We performed a narrative review, including clinical and experimental ultrasound neuromodulation studies published in three main database repositories. Discussion Evidence shows that FUS may influence several mechanisms relevant for neuropathic pain management such as modulation of ion channels, glutamatergic neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow, inflammation and neurotoxicity, neuronal morphology and survival, nerve regeneration, and remyelination. Some experimental models have shown that LIFUS may reduce allodynia after peripheral nerve damage. At the same time, a few clinical studies support its beneficial effect on reducing pain in nerve compression syndromes. In turn, Thalamic HIFUS ablation can reduce NP from several etiologies with minor side-effects, but some neurological sequelae might be permanent. HIFUS is also useful in lowering non-neuropathic pain in several disorders. Conclusion Although an emerging set of studies brings new evidence on the therapeutic potential of both LIFUS and HIFUS for managing NP with minor side-effects, we need more controlled clinical trials to conclude about its safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Pérez-Neri
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes Sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14269, Mexico
| | - Alberto González-Aguilar
- Neuro-oncology Unit, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugia Manuel Velasco Suarez, Insurgentes Sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14269, Mexico
| | - Hugo Sandoval
- Sociomedical Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Calzada México-Xochimilco 289, Col, Arenal de Guadalupe, Alcaldia Tlalpan, C.P. 14389, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pineda
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Disorders, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Calzada Mexico-Xochimilco 289, Col, Arenal de Guadalupe, Alcaldia Tlalpan, C.P.14389, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Camilo Ríos
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes Sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14269, Mexico
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Wang S, Meng W, Ren Z, Li B, Zhu T, Chen H, Wang Z, He B, Zhao D, Jiang H. Ultrasonic Neuromodulation and Sonogenetics: A New Era for Neural Modulation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:787. [PMID: 32765294 PMCID: PMC7378787 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive ultrasonic neural modulation (UNM), a non-invasive technique with enhanced spatial focus compared to conventional electrical neural modulation, has attracted much attention in recent decades and might become the mainstream regimen for neurological disorders. However, as ultrasonic bioeffects and its adjustments are still unclear, it remains difficult to be extensively applied for therapeutic purpose, much less in the setting of human skull. Hence to comprehensively understand the way ultrasound exerts bioeffects, we explored UNM from a basic perspective by illustrating the parameter settings and the underlying mechanisms. In addition, although the spatial resolution and precision of UNM are considerable, UNM is relatively non-specific to tissue or cell type and shows very low specificity at the molecular level. Surprisingly, Ibsen et al. (2015) first proposed the concept of sonogenetics, which combined UNM and mechanosensitive (MS) channel protein. This emerging approach is a valuable improvement, as it may markedly increase the precision and spatial resolution of UNM. It seemed to be an inspiring tool with high accuracy and specificity, however, little information about sonogenetics is currently available. Thus, in order to provide an overview of sonogenetics and prompt the researches on UNM, we summarized the potential mechanisms from a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weilun Meng
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Medical Department, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongyuan Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Medical Department, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, China
| | - Binxun Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tongjian Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo He
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongdong Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Tsai PC, Gougheri HS, Kiani M. Skull Impact on the Ultrasound Beam Profile of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2019:5188-5191. [PMID: 31947027 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8857269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) is a promising noninvasive neuromodulation tool for targeting brain regions with millimeter-scale spatial resolutions. In conventional tFUS studies, a focused ultrasound beam generated by an external ultrasound transducer is delivered to the neural target. In tFUS, ultrasound should travel through the skull that features large attenuation and different acoustic impedance compared with the soft tissue, thereby resulting in acoustic impedance mismatch and reflections. In this paper, we study the impact of the rat skull on the ultrasound beam profile generated by both focused and unfocused (but with a natural focus) transducers at a wide sonication frequency (fp) range of 0.5-9.5 MHz. At different axial and lateral distances from the transducers, we measured ultrasound intensity profiles of three transducers operating at fps of 0.5 MHz, 1.2 MHz and 9.5 MHz with and without the skull. Our results showed that ultrasound beam profiles were significantly distorted by the skull. The transmission factor due to skull attenuation was measured 0.79,0.34 and 0.03 at fps of 0.5 MHz, 1.2 MHz and 9.5 MHz, respectively, when the skull was close to transducers focal zones.
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Gougheri HS, Dangi A, Kothapalli SR, Kiani M. A Comprehensive Study of Ultrasound Transducer Characteristics in Microscopic Ultrasound Neuromodulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2019; 13:835-847. [PMID: 31199268 PMCID: PMC6883411 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2019.2922027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In order to improve the spatial resolution of transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS), we have recently proposed microscopic ultrasound stimulation (μUS). In μUS, either an electronically phased array of ultrasound transducers or several millimeter-sized focused transducers are placed on the brain surface or sub-millimeter-sized transducers are implanted inside the brain tissue to steer and deliver a focused ultrasound pressure directly to the neural target. A key element in both tFUS and μUS is the ultrasound transducer that converts electrical power to acoustic pressure. The literature lacks a comprehensive study (in a quantitative manner) of the transducer characteristics, such as dimension, focusing, acoustic matching, backing material, and sonication frequency (fp), in the μUS. This paper studies the impact of these design parameters on the acoustic beam profile of millimeter-sized transducers with the emphasis on the stimulation spatial resolution and energy efficiency, which is defined as the μUS figure-of-merit (FoM). For this purpose, disc-shaped focused and unfocused piezoelectric (PZT-5A) transducers with different dimension (diameter, thickness), backing material (PCB, air) and acoustic matching in the frequency range of 2.2-9.56 MHz were fabricated. Our experimental studies with both water and sheep brain phantom medium demonstrate that acoustically matched focused transducers with high quality factor are desirable for μUS, as they provide fine spatial resolution and high acoustic intensities with low input electrical power levels (i.e., high FoM).
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Wang P, Zhang J, Yu J, Smith C, Feng W. Brain Modulatory Effects by Low-Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS): A Systematic Review on Both Animal and Human Studies. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:696. [PMID: 31396029 PMCID: PMC6667677 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective: Low Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS) is a new form of non-invasive brain modulation with promising data; however, systematic reviews on the brain modulatory effects of TUS on both animals and humans have not been well-conducted. We aimed to conduct a systematic review on the studies using the TUS to modulate the brain functions and associated behavioral changes in both animals and humans. Methods: A literature search for published studies in the past 10 years was conducted. Two authors independently reviewed the relevant articles. Data were extracted and qualitatively summarized. Quality of studies was assessed by the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool for preclinical studies or the PEDro scale for clinical studies. Results: A total of 24 animal studies (506 animals) and 11 human studies (213 subjects) were included. Findings based on most animal studies demonstrated the excitatory or suppressive modulatory effects of ultrasonic stimulations on motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, thalamus, prefrontal cortex, auditory, and visual areas. Brain modulatory effects also were found among healthy human subjects in seven studies and two clinical studies suggested TUS may result in potential benefits on patients with disorder of consciousness or chronic pain. The safety concerns of TUS seem to be minor based on the human studies. Conclusions: TUS appears to be a viable technique in modulating the brain functions; however, research on TUS is still in its early stages, especially in human studies. Parameters need to be optimized before launching systematic investigations in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiadan Yu
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Colin Smith
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Wuwei Feng
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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