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Sherman J, Bortz E, Antonio ES, Tseng HA, Raiff L, Han X. Ultrasound pulse repetition frequency preferentially activates different neuron populations independent of cell type. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:056008. [PMID: 39178904 PMCID: PMC11381926 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad731c] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Objective. Transcranial ultrasound (US) stimulation serves as an external input to a neuron, and thus the evoked response relies on neurons' intrinsic properties. Neural activity is limited to a couple hundred hertz and often exhibits preference to input frequencies. Accordingly, US pulsed at specific physiologic pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) may selectively engage neurons with the corresponding input frequency preference. However, most US parametric studies examine the effects of supraphysiologic PRFs. It remains unclear whether pulsing US at different physiologic PRFs could activate distinct neurons in the awake mammalian brain.Approach. We recorded cellular calcium responses of individual motor cortex neurons to US pulsed at PRFs of 10, 40, and 140 Hz in awake mice. We compared the evoked responses across these PRFs in the same neurons. To further understand the cell-type dependent effects, we categorized the recorded neurons as parvalbumin positive fast spiking interneurons or putative excitatory neurons and analyzed single-cell mechanosensitive channel expression in mice and humans using the Allen Brain Institute's RNA-sequencing databases.Main results. We discovered that many neurons were preferentially activated by only one PRF and different PRFs selectively engaged distinct neuronal populations. US-evoked cellular calcium responses exhibited the same characteristics as those naturally occurring during spiking, suggesting that US increases intrinsic neuronal activity. Furthermore, evoked responses were similar between fast-spiking inhibitory neurons and putative excitatory neurons. Thus, variation in individual neuron's cellular properties dominates US-evoked response heterogeneity, consistent with our observed cell-type independent expression patterns of mechanosensitive channels across individual neurons in mice and humans. Finally, US transiently increased network synchrony without producing prolonged over-synchronization that could be detrimental to neural circuit functions.Significance. These results highlight the feasibility of activating distinct neuronal subgroups by varying PRF and the potential to improve neuromodulation effects by combining physiologic PRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Sherman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Emma Bortz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Erynne San Antonio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Hua-An Tseng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Laura Raiff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Xue Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
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2
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Kim S, Kwon N, Hossain MM, Bendig J, Konofagou EE. Displacement and functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging of displacement-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation in mice. Neuroimage 2024; 298:120768. [PMID: 39096984 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120768] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) stimulation is a promising neuromodulation technique with the merits of non-invasiveness, high spatial resolution, and deep penetration depth. However, simultaneous imaging of FUS-induced brain tissue displacement and the subsequent effect of FUS stimulation on brain hemodynamics has proven challenging thus far. In addition, earlier studies lack in situ confirmation of targeting except for the magnetic resonance imaging-guided FUS system-based studies. The purpose of this study is 1) to introduce a fully ultrasonic approach to in situ target, modulate neuronal activity, and monitor the resultant neuromodulation effect by respectively leveraging displacement imaging, FUS, and functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging, and 2) to investigate FUS-evoked cerebral blood volume (CBV) response and the relationship between CBV and displacement. We performed displacement imaging on craniotomized mice to confirm the in situ targeting for neuromodulation site. We recorded hemodynamic responses evoked by FUS while fUS imaging revealed an ipsilateral CBV increase that peaks at 4 s post-FUS. We report a stronger hemodynamic activation in the subcortical region than cortical, showing good agreement with a brain elasticity map that can also be obtained using a similar methodology. We observed dose-dependent CBV responses with peak CBV, activated area, and correlation coefficient increasing with the ultrasonic dose. Furthermore, by mapping displacement and hemodynamic activation, we found that displacement colocalized and linearly correlated with CBV increase. The findings presented herein demonstrated that FUS evokes ipsilateral hemodynamic activation in cortical and subcortical depths while the evoked hemodynamic responses colocalize and correlate with FUS-induced displacement. We anticipate that our findings will help consolidate accurate targeting as well as shedding light on one of the mechanisms behind FUS modulation, i.e., how FUS mechanically displaces brain tissue affecting cerebral hemodynamics and thereby its associated connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongyeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Nancy Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | | | - Jonas Bendig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Elisa E Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University; Department of Radiology, Columbia University.
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3
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Hoang-Dang B, Halavi SE, Rotstein NM, Spivak NM, Dang NH, Cvijanovic L, Hiller SH, Vallejo-Martelo M, Rosenberg BM, Swenson A, Becerra S, Sun M, Revett ME, Kronemyer D, Berlow R, Craske MG, Suthana N, Monti MM, Zbozinek TD, Bookheimer SY, Kuhn TP. Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Targeting the Amygdala May Increase Psychophysiological and Subjective Negative Emotional Reactivity in Healthy Older Adults. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100342. [PMID: 39092138 PMCID: PMC11293512 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100342] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The amygdala is highly implicated in an array of psychiatric disorders but is not accessible using currently available noninvasive neuromodulatory techniques. Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (TFUS) is a neuromodulatory technique that has the capability of reaching subcortical regions noninvasively. Methods We studied healthy older adult participants (N = 21, ages 48-79 years) who received TFUS targeting the right amygdala and left entorhinal cortex (active control region) using a 2-visit within-participant crossover design. Before and after TFUS, behavioral measures were collected via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and an emotional reactivity and regulation task utilizing neutral and negatively valenced images from the International Affective Picture System. Heart rate and self-reported emotional valence and arousal were measured during the emotional reactivity and regulation task to investigate subjective and physiological responses to the task. Results Significant increases in both self-reported arousal in response to negative images and heart rate during emotional reactivity and regulation task intertrial intervals were observed when TFUS targeted the amygdala; these changes were not evident when the entorhinal cortex was targeted. No significant changes were found for state anxiety, self-reported valence to the negative images, cardiac response to the negative images, or emotion regulation. Conclusions The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that a single session of TFUS targeting the amygdala may alter psychophysiological and subjective emotional responses, indicating some potential for future neuropsychiatric applications. However, more work on TFUS parameters and targeting optimization is necessary to determine how to elicit changes in a more clinically advantageous way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Hoang-Dang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sabrina E. Halavi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Natalie M. Rotstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Norman M. Spivak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nolan H. Dang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Luka Cvijanovic
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sonja H. Hiller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mauricio Vallejo-Martelo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Benjamin M. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Andrew Swenson
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sergio Becerra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Sun
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Malina E. Revett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - David Kronemyer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rustin Berlow
- American Brain Stimulation Clinic, Del Mar, California
| | - Michelle G. Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nanthia Suthana
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Martin M. Monti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tomislav D. Zbozinek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Susan Y. Bookheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Taylor P. Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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4
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Kop BR, Shamli Oghli Y, Grippe TC, Nandi T, Lefkes J, Meijer SW, Farboud S, Engels M, Hamani M, Null M, Radetz A, Hassan U, Darmani G, Chetverikov A, den Ouden HEM, Bergmann TO, Chen R, Verhagen L. Auditory confounds can drive online effects of transcranial ultrasonic stimulation in humans. eLife 2024; 12:RP88762. [PMID: 39190585 PMCID: PMC11349300 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) is rapidly emerging as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique. TUS is already well-established in animal models, providing foundations to now optimize neuromodulatory efficacy for human applications. Across multiple studies, one promising protocol, pulsed at 1000 Hz, has consistently resulted in motor cortical inhibition in humans (Fomenko et al., 2020). At the same time, a parallel research line has highlighted the potentially confounding influence of peripheral auditory stimulation arising from TUS pulsing at audible frequencies. In this study, we disentangle direct neuromodulatory and indirect auditory contributions to motor inhibitory effects of TUS. To this end, we include tightly matched control conditions across four experiments, one preregistered, conducted independently at three institutions. We employed a combined transcranial ultrasonic and magnetic stimulation paradigm, where TMS-elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) served as an index of corticospinal excitability. First, we replicated motor inhibitory effects of TUS but showed through both tight controls and manipulation of stimulation intensity, duration, and auditory masking conditions that this inhibition was driven by peripheral auditory stimulation, not direct neuromodulation. Furthermore, we consider neuromodulation beyond driving overall excitation/inhibition and show preliminary evidence of how TUS might interact with ongoing neural dynamics instead. Primarily, this study highlights the substantial shortcomings in accounting for the auditory confound in prior TUS-TMS work where only a flip-over sham and no active control was used. The field must critically reevaluate previous findings given the demonstrated impact of peripheral confounds. Furthermore, rigorous experimental design via (in)active control conditions is required to make substantiated claims in future TUS studies. Only when direct effects are disentangled from those driven by peripheral confounds can TUS fully realize its potential for research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Kop
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Yazan Shamli Oghli
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network; University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Talyta C Grippe
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network; University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Tulika Nandi
- Neuroimaging Center; Johannes-Gutenberg University Medical Center MainzMainzGermany
| | - Judith Lefkes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Sjoerd W Meijer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Soha Farboud
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Marwan Engels
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Michelle Hamani
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network; University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Melissa Null
- Neuroimaging Center; Johannes-Gutenberg University Medical Center MainzMainzGermany
| | - Angela Radetz
- Neuroimaging Center; Johannes-Gutenberg University Medical Center MainzMainzGermany
| | - Umair Hassan
- Neuroimaging Center; Johannes-Gutenberg University Medical Center MainzMainzGermany
| | - Ghazaleh Darmani
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network; University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Andrey Chetverikov
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Hanneke EM den Ouden
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Til Ole Bergmann
- Neuroimaging Center; Johannes-Gutenberg University Medical Center MainzMainzGermany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research MainzMainzGermany
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network; University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Lennart Verhagen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour; Radboud University NijmegenNijmegenNetherlands
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5
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Shi L, Mastracchio C, Saytashev I, Ye M. Low frequency ultrasound elicits broad cortical responses inhibited by ketamine in mice. COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING 2024; 3:120. [PMID: 39192002 DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00269-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The neuromodulatory effects of >250 kHz ultrasound have been well-demonstrated, but the impact of lower-frequency ultrasound, which can transmit better through air and the skull, on the brain is unclear. This study investigates the biological impact of 40 kHz pulsed ultrasound on the brain using calcium imaging and electrophysiology in mice. Our findings reveal burst duration-dependent neural responses in somatosensory and auditory cortices, resembling responses to 12 kHz audible tone, in vivo. In vitro brain slice experiments show no neural responses to 300 kPa 40 kHz ultrasound, implying indirect network effects. Ketamine fully blocks neural responses to ultrasound in both cortices but only partially affects 12 kHz audible tone responses in the somatosensory cortex and has no impact on auditory cortex 12 kHz responses. This suggests that low-frequency ultrasound's cortical effects rely heavily on NMDA receptors and may involve mechanisms beyond indirect auditory cortex activation. This research uncovers potential low-frequency ultrasound effects and mechanisms in the brain, offering a path for future neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Shi
- Division of Biomedical Physics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Christina Mastracchio
- Division of Biomedical Physics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Ilyas Saytashev
- Division of Biomedical Physics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Meijun Ye
- Division of Biomedical Physics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
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6
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Murphy KR, Farrell JS, Bendig J, Mitra A, Luff C, Stelzer IA, Yamaguchi H, Angelakos CC, Choi M, Bian W, DiIanni T, Pujol EM, Matosevich N, Airan R, Gaudillière B, Konofagou EE, Butts-Pauly K, Soltesz I, de Lecea L. Optimized ultrasound neuromodulation for non-invasive control of behavior and physiology. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00493-8. [PMID: 39079529 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.07.002] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound can non-invasively modulate neural activity, but whether effective stimulation parameters generalize across brain regions and cell types remains unknown. We used focused ultrasound coupled with fiber photometry to identify optimal neuromodulation parameters for four different arousal centers of the brain in an effort to yield overt changes in behavior. Applying coordinate descent, we found that optimal parameters for excitation or inhibition are highly distinct, the effects of which are generally conserved across brain regions and cell types. Optimized stimulations induced clear, target-specific behavioral effects, whereas non-optimized protocols of equivalent energy resulted in substantially less or no change in behavior. These outcomes were independent of auditory confounds and, contrary to expectation, accompanied by a cyclooxygenase-dependent and prolonged reduction in local blood flow and temperature with brain-region-specific scaling. These findings demonstrate that carefully tuned and targeted ultrasound can exhibit powerful effects on complex behavior and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jordan S Farrell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonas Bendig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anish Mitra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte Luff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ina A Stelzer
- Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hiroshi Yamaguchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Mihyun Choi
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wenjie Bian
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tommaso DiIanni
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Esther Martinez Pujol
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Noa Matosevich
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raag Airan
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brice Gaudillière
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa E Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kim Butts-Pauly
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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7
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Brockway DF, Crowley NA. Emerging pharmacological targets for alcohol use disorder. Alcohol 2024; 121:103-114. [PMID: 39069210 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) remains a challenging condition with limited effective treatment options; however new technology in drug delivery and advancements in pharmacology have paved the way for discovery of novel therapeutic targets. This review explores emerging pharmacological targets that offer new options for the management of AUD, focusing on the potential of somatostatin (SST), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), nociceptin (NOP), and neuropeptide S (NPS). These targets have been selected based on recent advancements in preclinical and clinical research, which suggest their significant roles in modulating alcohol consumption and related behaviors. SST dampens cortical circuits, and targeting both the SST neurons and the SST peptide itself presents promise for treating AUD and various related comorbidities. VIP neurons are modulated by alcohol and targeting the VIP system presents an unexplored avenue for addressing alcohol exposure at various stages of development. GLP-1 interacts with the dopaminergic reward system and reduces alcohol intake. Nociceptin modulates mesolimbic circuitry and agonism and antagonism of nociceptin receptor offers a complex but promising approach to reducing alcohol consumption. NPS stands out for its anxiolytic-like effects, particularly relevant for the anxiety associated with AUD. This review aims to synthesize the current understanding of these targets, highlighting their potential in developing more effective and personalized AUD therapies, and underscores the importance of continued research in identifying and validating novel targets for treatment of AUD and comorbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota F Brockway
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Penn State Neuroscience Institute, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Nicole A Crowley
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Penn State Neuroscience Institute, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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8
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Nandi T, Kop BR, Naftchi-Ardebili K, Stagg CJ, Pauly KB, Verhagen L. Biophysical effects and neuromodulatory dose of transcranial ultrasonic stimulation. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2406.19869v3. [PMID: 39010872 PMCID: PMC11247917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) has the potential to usher in a new era for human neuroscience by allowing spatially precise and high-resolution non-invasive targeting of both deep and superficial brain regions. Currently, fundamental research on the mechanisms of interaction between ultrasound and neural tissues is progressing in parallel with application-focused research. However, a major hurdle in the wider use of TUS is the selection of optimal parameters to enable safe and effective neuromodulation in humans. In this paper, we will discuss the major factors that determine both the safety and efficacy of TUS. We will discuss the thermal and mechanical biophysical effects of ultrasound, which underlie its biological effects, in the context of their relationships with tunable parameters. Based on this knowledge of biophysical effects, and drawing on concepts from radiotherapy, we propose a framework for conceptualising TUS dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulika Nandi
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin R Kop
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Charlotte J Stagg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kim Butts Pauly
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lennart Verhagen
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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9
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Nandi T, Kop BR, Butts Pauly K, Stagg CJ, Verhagen L. The relationship between parameters and effects in transcranial ultrasonic stimulation. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2407.01232v2. [PMID: 39010874 PMCID: PMC11247914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) is rapidly gaining traction for non-invasive human neuromodulation, with a pressing need to establish protocols that maximise neuromodulatory efficacy. In this review, we aggregate and examine empirical evidence for the relationship between tunable TUS parameters and in vitro and in vivo outcomes. Based on this multiscale approach, TUS researchers can make better informed decisions about optimal parameter settings. Importantly, we also discuss the challenges involved in extrapolating results from prior empirical work to future interventions, including the translation of protocols between models and the complex interaction between TUS protocols and the brain. A synthesis of the empirical evidence suggests that larger effects will be observed at lower frequencies within the sub-MHz range, higher intensities and pressures than commonly administered thus far, and longer pulses and pulse train durations. Nevertheless, we emphasise the need for cautious interpretation of empirical data from different experimental paradigms when basing protocols on prior work as we advance towards refined TUS parameters for human neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulika Nandi
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin R Kop
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Butts Pauly
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte J Stagg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lennart Verhagen
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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10
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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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11
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Gao H, Ramachandran S, Yu K, He B. Transcranial focused ultrasound activates feedforward and feedback cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways by selectively activating excitatory neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.26.600794. [PMID: 38979359 PMCID: PMC11230429 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.26.600794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has been proven capable of altering focal neuronal activities and neural circuits non-invasively in both animals and humans. The abilities of tFUS for cell-type selection within the targeted area like somatosensory cortex have been shown to be parameter related. However, how neuronal subpopulations across neural pathways are affected, for example how tFUS affected neuronal connections between brain areas remains unclear. In this study, multi-site intracranial recordings were used to quantify the neuronal responses to tFUS stimulation at somatosensory cortex (S1), motor cortex (M1) and posterior medial thalamic nucleus (POm) of cortico-thalamo-cortical (CTC) pathway. We found that when targeting at S1 or POm, only regular spiking units (RSUs, putative excitatory neurons) responded to specific tFUS parameters (duty cycle: 6%-60% and pulse repetition frequency: 1500 and 3000 Hz ) during sonication. RSUs from the directly connected area (POm or S1) showed a synchronized response, which changed the directional correlation between RSUs from POm and S1. The tFUS induced excitation of RSUs activated the feedforward and feedback loops between cortex and thalamus, eliciting delayed neuronal responses of RSUs and delayed activities of fast spiking units (FSUs) by affecting local network. Our findings indicated that tFUS can modulate the CTC pathway through both feedforward and feedback loops, which could influence larger cortical areas including motor cortex.
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12
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Ramachandran S, Gao H, Yttri E, Yu K, He B. An Investigation of Parameter-Dependent Cell-Type Specific Effects of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation Using an Awake Head-Fixed Rodent Model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.24.600515. [PMID: 38979298 PMCID: PMC11230196 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.24.600515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a promising neuromodulation technique able to target shallow and deep brain structures with high precision. Previous studies have demonstrated that tFUS stimulation responses are both cell-type specific and controllable through altering stimulation parameters. Specifically, tFUS can elicit time-locked neural activity in regular spiking units (RSUs) that is sensitive to increases in pulse repetition frequency (PRF), while time-locked responses are not seen in fast spiking units (FSUs). These findings suggest a unique capability of tFUS to alter circuit network dynamics with cell-type specificity; however, these results could be biased by the use of anesthesia, which significantly modulates neural activities. In this study, we develop an awake head-fixed rat model specifically designed for tFUS study, and address a key question if tFUS still has cell-type specificity under awake conditions. Using this novel animal model, we examined a series of PRFs and burst duty cycles (DCs) to determine their effects on neuronal subpopulations without anesthesia. We conclude that cell-type specific time-locked and delayed responses to tFUS as well as PRF and DC sensitivity are present in the awake animal model and that despite some differences in response, isoflurane anesthesia is not a major confound in studying the cell-type specificity of ultrasound neuromodulation. We further determine that, in an awake, head-fixed setting, the preferred PRF and DC for inducing time-locked excitation with our pulsed tFUS paradigm are 1500 Hz and 60%, respectively.
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13
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Hou JF, Nayeem MOG, Caplan KA, Ruesch EA, Caban-Murillo A, Criado-Hidalgo E, Ornellas SB, Williams B, Pearce AA, Dagdeviren HE, Surets M, White JA, Shapiro MG, Wang F, Ramirez S, Dagdeviren C. An implantable piezoelectric ultrasound stimulator (ImPULS) for deep brain activation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4601. [PMID: 38834558 PMCID: PMC11150473 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48748-6] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise neurostimulation can revolutionize therapies for neurological disorders. Electrode-based stimulation devices face challenges in achieving precise and consistent targeting due to the immune response and the limited penetration of electrical fields. Ultrasound can aid in energy propagation, but transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the deep brain has limited spatial resolution caused by bone and tissue scattering. Here, we report an implantable piezoelectric ultrasound stimulator (ImPULS) that generates an ultrasonic focal pressure of 100 kPa to modulate the activity of neurons. ImPULS is a fully-encapsulated, flexible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer that incorporates a biocompatible piezoceramic, potassium sodium niobate [(K,Na)NbO3]. The absence of electrochemically active elements poses a new strategy for achieving long-term stability. We demonstrated that ImPULS can i) excite neurons in a mouse hippocampal slice ex vivo, ii) activate cells in the hippocampus of an anesthetized mouse to induce expression of activity-dependent gene c-Fos, and iii) stimulate dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta to elicit time-locked modulation of nigrostriatal dopamine release. This work introduces a non-genetic ultrasound platform for spatially-localized neural stimulation and exploration of basic functions in the deep brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason F Hou
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Kian A Caplan
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Evan A Ruesch
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, 02215, MA, USA
| | - Albit Caban-Murillo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, 02215, MA, USA
| | - Ernesto Criado-Hidalgo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Sarah B Ornellas
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Brandon Williams
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Neurophotonics Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ayeilla A Pearce
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Huseyin E Dagdeviren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Michelle Surets
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, 02215, MA, USA
| | - John A White
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Neurophotonics Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Steve Ramirez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, 02215, MA, USA
| | - Canan Dagdeviren
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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14
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Zhao P, Wu T, Tian Y, You J, Cui X. Recent advances of focused ultrasound induced blood-brain barrier opening for clinical applications of neurodegenerative diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115323. [PMID: 38653402 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115323] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
With the aging population on the rise, neurodegenerative disorders have taken center stage as a significant health concern. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays an important role to maintain the stability of central nervous system, yet it poses a formidable obstacle to delivering drugs for neurodegenerative disease therapy. Various methods have been devised to confront this challenge, each carrying its own set of limitations. One particularly promising noninvasive approach involves the utilization of focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with contrast agents-microbubbles (MBs) to achieve transient and reversible BBB opening. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental mechanisms behind FUS/MBs-mediated BBB opening and spotlights recent breakthroughs in its application for neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it addresses the current challenges and presents future perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxuan Zhao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; School of Pharmacy, Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, International Joint Research Center of Human-machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, International Joint Research Center of Human-machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Jia You
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, International Joint Research Center of Human-machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Xinwu Cui
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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15
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Osada T, Konishi S. Noninvasive intervention by transcranial ultrasound stimulation: Modulation of neural circuits and its clinical perspectives. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:273-281. [PMID: 38505983 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Low-intensity focused transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is an emerging noninvasive technique capable of stimulating both the cerebral cortex and deep brain structures with high spatial precision. This method is recognized for its potential to comprehensively perturb various brain regions, enabling the modulation of neural circuits, in a manner not achievable through conventional magnetic or electrical brain stimulation techniques. The underlying mechanisms of neuromodulation are based on a phenomenon where mechanical waves of ultrasound kinetically interact with neurons, specifically affecting neuronal membranes and mechanosensitive channels. This interaction induces alterations in the excitability of neurons within the stimulated region. In this review, we briefly present the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and the physiological mechanisms of TUS neuromodulation. We explain the experimental apparatus and procedures for TUS in humans. Due to the focality, the integration of various methods, including magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance-guided neuronavigation systems, is important to perform TUS experiments for precise targeting. We then review the current state of the literature on TUS neuromodulation, with a particular focus on human subjects, targeting both the cerebral cortex and deep subcortical structures. Finally, we outline future perspectives of TUS in clinical applications in psychiatric and neurological fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Osada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiki Konishi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Age, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Sportology Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Research Institute for Health Science, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Kim S, Kwon N, Hossain MM, Bendig J, Konofagou EE. Functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging of displacement-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587355. [PMID: 38617295 PMCID: PMC11014490 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) stimulation is a promising neuromodulation technique with the merits of non-invasiveness, high spatial resolution, and deep penetration depth. However, simultaneous imaging of FUS-induced brain tissue displacement and the subsequent effect of FUS stimulation on brain hemodynamics has proven challenging thus far. In addition, earlier studies lack in situ confirmation of targeting except for the magnetic resonance imaging-guided FUS system-based studies. The purpose of this study is 1) to introduce a fully ultrasonic approach to in situ target, modulate neuronal activity, and monitor the resultant neuromodulation effect by respectively leveraging displacement imaging, FUS, and functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging, and 2) to investigate FUS-evoked cerebral blood volume (CBV) response and the relationship between CBV and displacement. We performed displacement imaging on craniotomized mice to confirm the in targeting for neuromodulation site. We recorded hemodynamic responses evoked by FUS and fUS revealed an ipsilateral CBV increase that peaks at 4 s post-FUS. We saw a stronger hemodynamic activation in the subcortical region than cortical, showing good agreement with the brain elasticity map that can also be obtained using a similar methodology. We observed dose-dependent CBV response with peak CBV, activated area, and correlation coefficient increasing with ultrasonic dose. Furthermore, by mapping displacement and hemodynamic activation, we found that displacement colocalizes and linearly correlates with CBV increase. The findings presented herein demonstrated that FUS evokes ipsilateral hemodynamic activation in cortical and subcortical depths and the evoked hemodynamic responses colocalized and correlate with FUS-induced displacement. We anticipate that our findings will help consolidate accurate targeting as well as an understanding of how FUS displaces brain tissue and affects cerebral hemodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongyeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Nancy Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | | | - Jonas Bendig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Elisa E. Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University
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17
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Sherman J, Bortz E, Antonio ES, Tseng HA, Raiff L, Han X. Ultrasound pulse repetition frequency preferentially activates different neuron populations independent of cell type. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.586645. [PMID: 38585918 PMCID: PMC10996595 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasound activates mechanosensitive cellular signaling and modulates neural dynamics. Given that intrinsic neuronal activity is limited to a couple hundred hertz and often exhibits frequency preference, we examined whether pulsing ultrasound at physiologic pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) could selectively influence neuronal activity in the mammalian brain. We performed calcium imaging of individual motor cortex neurons, while delivering 0.35 MHz ultrasound at PRFs of 10, 40, and 140 Hz in awake mice. We found that most neurons were preferentially activated by only one of the three PRFs, highlighting unique cellular effects of physiologic PRFs. Further, ultrasound evoked responses were similar between excitatory neurons and parvalbumin positive interneurons regardless of PRFs, indicating that individual cell sensitivity dominates ultrasound-evoked effects, consistent with the heterogeneous mechanosensitive channel expression we found across single neurons in mice and humans. These results highlight the feasibility of tuning ultrasound neuromodulation effects through varying PRFs.
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18
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Strohman A, Isaac G, Payne B, Verdonk C, Khalsa SS, Legon W. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to the human insular cortex differentially modulates the heartbeat-evoked potential: a proof-of-concept study. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.584152. [PMID: 38559271 PMCID: PMC10979877 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.584152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Background The heartbeat evoked potential (HEP) is a brain response time-locked to the heartbeat and a potential marker of interoceptive processing. The insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) are brain regions that may be involved in generating the HEP. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that can selectively target sub-regions of the insula and dACC to better understand their contributions to the HEP. Objective Proof-of-concept study to determine whether LIFU modulation of the anterior insula (AI), posterior insula (PI), and dACC influences the HEP. Methods In a within-subject, repeated-measures design, healthy human participants (n=16) received 10 minutes of stereotaxically targeted LIFU to the AI, PI, dACC or Sham at rest during continuous electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) recording on separate days. Primary outcome was change in HEP amplitudes. Relationships between LIFU pressure and HEP changes were examined using linear mixed modelling. Peripheral indices of visceromotor output including heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were explored between conditions. Results Relative to sham, LIFU to the PI, but not AI or dACC, decreased HEP amplitudes; this was partially explained by increased LIFU pressure. LIFU did not affect time or frequency dependent measures of HRV. Conclusions These results demonstrate the ability to modulate HEP amplitudes via non-invasive targeting of key interoceptive brain regions. Our findings have implications for the causal role of these areas in bottom-up heart-brain communication that could guide future work investigating the HEP as a marker of interoceptive processing in healthy and clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Strohman
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Gabriel Isaac
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Brighton Payne
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Charles Verdonk
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
- VIFASOM (EA 7330 Vigilance Fatigue, Sommeil et Santé Publique), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Sahib S. Khalsa
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
- Oxley College of Health Sciences, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Wynn Legon
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Center for Human Neuroscience Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
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19
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Aurup C, Bendig J, Blackman SG, McCune EP, Bae S, Jimenez-Gambin S, Ji R, Konofagou EE. Transcranial Functional Ultrasound Imaging Detects Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Induced Hemodynamic Changes in Mouse and Nonhuman Primate Brains In Vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583971. [PMID: 38559149 PMCID: PMC10979885 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging noinvasive technique for neuromodulation in the central nervous system (CNS). To evaluate the effects of FUS-induced neuromodulation, many studies used behavioral changes, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or electroencephalography (EEG). However, behavioral readouts are often not easily mapped to specific brain activity, EEG has low spatial resolution limited to the surface of the brain and fMRI requires a large importable scanner that limits additional readouts and manipulations. In this context, functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) holds promise to directly monitor the effects of FUS neuromodulation with high spatiotemporal resolution in a large field of view, with a comparatively simple and flexible setup. fUSI uses ultrafast Power Doppler Imaging (PDI) to measure changes in cerebral blood volume, which correlates well with neuronal activity and local field potentials. We designed a setup that aligns a FUS transducer with a linear array to allow immediate subsequent monitoring of the hemodynamic response with fUSI during and after FUS neuromodulation. We established a positive correlation between FUS pressure and the size of the activated area, as well as changes in cerebral blood volume (CBV) and found that unilateral sonications produce bilateral hemodynamic changes with ipsilateral accentuation in mice. We further demonstrated the ability to perform fully noninvasive, transcranial FUS-fUSI in nonhuman primates for the first time by using a lower-frequency transducer configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Aurup
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonas Bendig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel G. Blackman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica P. McCune
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sua Bae
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Robin Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa E. Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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20
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Simpson EH, Akam T, Patriarchi T, Blanco-Pozo M, Burgeno LM, Mohebi A, Cragg SJ, Walton ME. Lights, fiber, action! A primer on in vivo fiber photometry. Neuron 2024; 112:718-739. [PMID: 38103545 PMCID: PMC10939905 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Fiber photometry is a key technique for characterizing brain-behavior relationships in vivo. Initially, it was primarily used to report calcium dynamics as a proxy for neural activity via genetically encoded indicators. This generated new insights into brain functions including movement, memory, and motivation at the level of defined circuits and cell types. Recently, the opportunity for discovery with fiber photometry has exploded with the development of an extensive range of fluorescent sensors for biomolecules including neuromodulators and peptides that were previously inaccessible in vivo. This critical advance, combined with the new availability of affordable "plug-and-play" recording systems, has made monitoring molecules with high spatiotemporal precision during behavior highly accessible. However, while opening exciting new avenues for research, the rapid expansion in fiber photometry applications has occurred without coordination or consensus on best practices. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to help end-users execute, analyze, and suitably interpret fiber photometry studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor H Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Thomas Akam
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Tommaso Patriarchi
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zürich, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Marta Blanco-Pozo
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lauren M Burgeno
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ali Mohebi
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie J Cragg
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Mark E Walton
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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21
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Xiao W, Li P, Kong F, Kong J, Pan A, Long L, Yan X, Xiao B, Gong J, Wan L. Unraveling the Neural Circuits: Techniques, Opportunities and Challenges in Epilepsy Research. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:27. [PMID: 38443733 PMCID: PMC10914928 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01458-5] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by high morbidity, frequent recurrence, and potential drug resistance, profoundly affects millions of people globally. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms underlying seizures is crucial for effective epilepsy treatment, and a thorough understanding of the intricate neural circuits underlying epilepsy is vital for the development of targeted therapies and the enhancement of clinical outcomes. This review begins with an exploration of the historical evolution of techniques used in studying neural circuits related to epilepsy. It then provides an extensive overview of diverse techniques employed in this domain, discussing their fundamental principles, strengths, limitations, as well as their application. Additionally, the synthesis of multiple techniques to unveil the complexity of neural circuits is summarized. Finally, this review also presents targeted drug therapies associated with epileptic neural circuits. By providing a critical assessment of methodologies used in the study of epileptic neural circuits, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of these techniques, stimulate innovative approaches for unraveling epilepsy's complexities, and ultimately facilitate improved treatment and clinical translation for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Xiao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Peile Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fujiao Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jingyi Kong
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lili Long
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoxin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaoe Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Lily Wan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
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22
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Lee J, Kim YE, Lim J, Jo Y, Lee HJ, Jo YS, Choi JS. Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation in the infralimbic cortex facilitates extinction of conditioned fear in rats. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:405-412. [PMID: 38537689 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.03.013] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) neuromodulation emerges as a promising non-invasive approach for improving neurological conditions. Extinction of conditioned fear has served as a prime model for exposure-based therapies for anxiety disorders. We investigated whether tFUS stimulation to a critical brain area, the infralimbic subdivision of the prefrontal cortex (IL), could facilitate fear extinction using rats. In a series of experiments, tFUS was delivered to the IL of a freely-moving rat and compared to sham stimulation (tFUS vs. SHAM). Initially, Fos expression in the IL was measured shortly after the stimulation. The results show that Fos expression was significantly increased in the IL but not in the neighboring regions compared to SHAM. Subsequently, two groups of rats were subjected to fear conditioning, extinction, and retention while receiving stimulation during the extinction. Rats in the tFUS group froze significantly less than SHAM during both extinction and retention tests. Importantly, the reduced freezing in the tFUS group was not attributable to non-specific effect such as auditory noise, as both groups demonstrated a similar level of locomotive activity in an open field regardless of the stimulation condition. Finally, we replicated the procedure with a shortened conditioning-to-extinction interval (15 min) to induce immediate extinction deficit. The tFUS group showed a facilitated reduction in freezing during the extinction, which persisted in the subsequent retention session compared to SHAM. In summary, the current findings suggest that tFUS stimulation in the IL facilitates fear extinction, offering a potential therapeutic regimen for fear-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyong Lee
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Eun Kim
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihong Lim
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yehhyun Jo
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Jenny Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sang Jo
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - June-Seek Choi
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Eleni Karakatsani M, Estrada H, Chen Z, Shoham S, Deán-Ben XL, Razansky D. Shedding light on ultrasound in action: Optical and optoacoustic monitoring of ultrasound brain interventions. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 205:115177. [PMID: 38184194 PMCID: PMC11298795 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring brain responses to ultrasonic interventions is becoming an important pillar of a growing number of applications employing acoustic waves to actuate and cure the brain. Optical interrogation of living tissues provides a unique means for retrieving functional and molecular information related to brain activity and disease-specific biomarkers. The hybrid optoacoustic imaging methods have further enabled deep-tissue imaging with optical contrast at high spatial and temporal resolution. The marriage between light and sound thus brings together the highly complementary advantages of both modalities toward high precision interrogation, stimulation, and therapy of the brain with strong impact in the fields of ultrasound neuromodulation, gene and drug delivery, or noninvasive treatments of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we elaborate on current advances in optical and optoacoustic monitoring of ultrasound interventions. We describe the main principles and mechanisms underlying each method before diving into the corresponding biomedical applications. We identify areas of improvement as well as promising approaches with clinical translation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eleni Karakatsani
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Héctor Estrada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zhenyue Chen
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shy Shoham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Tech4Health and Neuroscience Institutes, NYU Langone Health, NY, USA
| | - Xosé Luís Deán-Ben
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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24
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Meng W, Lin Z, Bian T, Chen X, Meng L, Yuan T, Niu L, Zheng H. Ultrasound Deep Brain Stimulation Regulates Food Intake and Body Weight in Mice. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:366-377. [PMID: 38194393 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3351312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Given the widespread occurrence of obesity, new strategies are urgently needed to prevent, halt and reverse this condition. We proposed a noninvasive neurostimulation tool, ultrasound deep brain stimulation (UDBS), which can specifically modulate the hypothalamus and effectively regulate food intake and body weight in mice. Fifteen-min UDBS of hypothalamus decreased 41.4% food intake within 2 hours. Prolonged 1-hour UDBS significantly decreased daily food intake lasting 4 days. UDBS also effectively restrained body weight gain in leptin-receptor knockout mice (Sham: 96.19%, UDBS: 58.61%). High-fat diet (HFD) mice treated with 4-week UDBS (15 min / 2 days) reduced 28.70% of the body weight compared to the Sham group. Meanwhile, UDBS significantly modulated glucose-lipid metabolism and decreased the body fat. The potential mechanism is that ultrasound actives pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus for reduction of food intake and body weight. These results provide a noninvasive tool for controlling food intake, enabling systematic treatment of obesity.
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25
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Leinenga G, Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:S211-S222. [PMID: 39058447 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240616] [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: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive impairment of neuronal functions culminating in neuronal loss and dementia. A universal feature of dementia is protein aggregation, a process by which a monomer forms intermediate oligomeric assembly states and filaments that develop into end-stage hallmark lesions. In Alzheimer's disease, this is exemplified by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques which have been placed upstream of tau, found in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites. This implies causality that can be modeled as a linear activation cascade. When Aβ load is reduced, for example, in response to an anti-Aβ immunotherapy, cognitive functions improve in plaque-forming mice. They also deteriorate less in clinical trial cohorts although real-world clinical benefits remain to be demonstrated. Given the existence of aged humans with unimpaired cognition despite a high plaque load, the central role of Aβ has been challenged. A counter argument has been that clinical symptoms would eventually develop if these aged individuals were to live long enough. Alternatively, intrinsic mechanisms that protect the brain in the presence of pathology may exist. In fact, Aβ toxicity can be abolished by either reducing or manipulating tau (through which Aβ signals), at least in preclinical models. In addition to manipulating steps in this linear pathocascade model, mechanisms of restoring brain reserve can also counteract Aβ toxicity. Low-intensity ultrasound is a neuromodulatory modality that can improve cognitive functions in Aβ-depositing mice without the need for removing Aβ. Together, this highlights a dissociation of Aβ and cognition, with important implications for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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26
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Murphy KR, de Lecea L. Cell type specific focused ultrasound neuromodulation in preclinical models of sleep and psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:299-300. [PMID: 37463978 PMCID: PMC10700629 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01662-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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27
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Cornelssen C, Finlinson E, Rolston JD, Wilcox KS. Ultrasonic therapies for seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1301956. [PMID: 38162441 PMCID: PMC10756913 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1301956] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonic therapy is an increasingly promising approach for the treatment of seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Therapeutic focused ultrasound (FUS) uses thermal or nonthermal energy to either ablate neural tissue or modulate neural activity through high- or low-intensity FUS (HIFU, LIFU), respectively. Both HIFU and LIFU approaches have been investigated for reducing seizure activity in DRE, and additional FUS applications include disrupting the blood-brain barrier in the presence of microbubbles for targeted-drug delivery to the seizure foci. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies that have used FUS to treat seizures. Additionally, we review effective FUS parameters and consider limitations and future directions of FUS with respect to the treatment of DRE. While detailed studies to optimize FUS applications are ongoing, FUS has established itself as a potential noninvasive alternative for the treatment of DRE and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carena Cornelssen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Eli Finlinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - John D. Rolston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Karen S. Wilcox
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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28
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Di Ianni T, Morrison KP, Yu B, Murphy KR, de Lecea L, Airan RD. High-throughput ultrasound neuromodulation in awake and freely behaving rats. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1743-1752. [PMID: 38052373 PMCID: PMC10795522 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.11.014] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation is a promising potential therapeutic tool for the noninvasive treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the expansive parameter space and difficulties in controlling for peripheral auditory effects make it challenging to identify ultrasound sequences and brain targets that may provide therapeutic efficacy. Careful preclinical investigations in clinically relevant behavioral models are critically needed to identify suitable brain targets and acoustic parameters. However, there is a lack of ultrasound devices allowing for multi-target experimental investigations in awake and unrestrained rodents. We developed a miniaturized 64-element ultrasound array that enables neurointerventional investigations with within-trial active control targets in freely behaving rats. We first characterized the acoustic field with measurements in free water and with transcranial propagation. We then confirmed in vivo that the array can target multiple brain regions via electronic steering, and verified that wearing the device does not cause significant impairments to animal motility. Finally, we demonstrated the performance of our system in a high-throughput neuromodulation experiment, where we found that ultrasound stimulation of the rat central medial thalamus, but not an active control target, promotes arousal and increases locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Di Ianni
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, 94158, CA, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, 94158, CA, USA.
| | | | - Brenda Yu
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Keith R Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Raag D Airan
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA.
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29
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Yaakub SN, White TA, Roberts J, Martin E, Verhagen L, Stagg CJ, Hall S, Fouragnan EF. Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5318. [PMID: 37658076 PMCID: PMC10474159 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is an emerging non-invasive technique for focally modulating human brain function. The mechanisms and neurochemical substrates underlying TUS neuromodulation in humans and how these relate to excitation and inhibition are still poorly understood. In 24 healthy controls, we separately stimulated two deep cortical regions and investigated the effects of theta-burst TUS, a protocol shown to increase corticospinal excitability, on the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and functional connectivity. We show that theta-burst TUS in humans selectively reduces GABA levels in the posterior cingulate, but not the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Functional connectivity increased following TUS in both regions. Our findings suggest that TUS changes overall excitability by reducing GABAergic inhibition and that changes in TUS-mediated neuroplasticity last at least 50 mins after stimulation. The difference in TUS effects on the posterior and anterior cingulate could suggest state- or location-dependency of the TUS effect-both mechanisms increasingly recognized to influence the brain's response to neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti N Yaakub
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Brain Research and Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Tristan A White
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Brain Research and Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Jamie Roberts
- Department of Clinical Measurement and Innovation, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - Eleanor Martin
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lennart Verhagen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Charlotte J Stagg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Hall
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Brain Research and Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Elsa F Fouragnan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
- Brain Research and Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
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30
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Blackmore DG, Razansky D, Götz J. Ultrasound as a versatile tool for short- and long-term improvement and monitoring of brain function. Neuron 2023; 111:1174-1190. [PMID: 36917978 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Treating the brain with focused ultrasound (FUS) at low intensities elicits diverse responses in neurons, astroglia, and the extracellular matrix. In combination with intravenously injected microbubbles, FUS also opens the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitates focal drug delivery. However, an incompletely understood cellular specificity and a wide parameter space currently limit the optimal application of FUS in preclinical and human studies. In this perspective, we discuss how different FUS modalities can be utilized to achieve short- and long-term improvements, thereby potentially treating brain disorders. We review the ongoing efforts to determine which parameters induce neuronal inhibition versus activation and how mechanoreceptors and signaling cascades are activated to induce long-term changes, including memory improvements. We suggest that optimal FUS treatments may require different FUS modalities and devices, depending on the targeted brain area or local pathology, and will be greatly enhanced by new techniques for monitoring FUS efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackmore
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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31
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Chu PC, Huang CS, Ing SZ, Yu HY, Fisher RS, Liu HL. Pulsed Focused Ultrasound Reduces Hippocampal Volume Loss and Improves Behavioral Performance in the Kainic Acid Rat Model of Epilepsy. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:502-517. [PMID: 36917440 PMCID: PMC10121983 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01363-7] [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] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) has the potential to modulate regional brain excitability and possibly aid seizure control; however, effects on behavior of FUS used as a seizure therapy are unknown. This study explores behavioral effects and hippocampal restoration induced by pulsed FUS in a kainic acid (KA) animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Twenty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were observed for 20 weeks with anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and behavioral performance evaluations, comprising measures of anxiety, limb usage, sociability, and memory. FUS targeted to the right hippocampus was given 9 and 14 weeks after KA was delivered to the right amygdala. Ultrasound pulsations were delivered with the acoustic settings of 0.25 of mechanical index, 0.5 W/cm2 of intensity spatial peak temporal average (ISPTA), 100 Hz of pulse repetition frequency, and 30% of duty cycle, during three consecutive pulse trains of 10 min separated by 5-min rests. Controls included normal animals with sham injections and KA-exposed animals without FUS exposure. Longitudinal MRI observations showed that FUS substantially protected hippocampal and striatal structures from KA-induced atrophy. KA alone increased anxiety, impaired contralateral limb usage, and reduced sociability and learning. Two courses of FUS sonications partially ameliorated these impairments by enhancing exploring and learning, balancing limb usage, and increasing social interaction. The histology results indicated that two sonications enhanced neuroprotection effect and decreased the inflammation markers induced by KA. This study supports existence of both neuroprotective and beneficial behavioral effects from low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the KA animal model of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chun Chu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Syuan Huang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Zhi Ing
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Yu Yu
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Robert S Fisher
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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32
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Murphy KR, Farrell JS, Gomez JL, Stedman QG, Li N, Leung SA, Good CH, Qiu Z, Firouzi K, Butts Pauly K, Khuri-Yakub BPT, Michaelides M, Soltesz I, de Lecea L. A tool for monitoring cell type-specific focused ultrasound neuromodulation and control of chronic epilepsy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206828119. [PMID: 36343238 PMCID: PMC9674244 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206828119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a powerful tool for noninvasive modulation of deep brain activity with promising therapeutic potential for refractory epilepsy; however, tools for examining FUS effects on specific cell types within the deep brain do not yet exist. Consequently, how cell types within heterogeneous networks can be modulated and whether parameters can be identified to bias these networks in the context of complex behaviors remains unknown. To address this, we developed a fiber Photometry Coupled focused Ultrasound System (PhoCUS) for simultaneously monitoring FUS effects on neural activity of subcortical genetically targeted cell types in freely behaving animals. We identified a parameter set that selectively increases activity of parvalbumin interneurons while suppressing excitatory neurons in the hippocampus. A net inhibitory effect localized to the hippocampus was further confirmed through whole brain metabolic imaging. Finally, these inhibitory selective parameters achieved significant spike suppression in the kainate model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy, opening the door for future noninvasive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R. Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Juan L. Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Quintin G. Stedman
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Ningrui Li
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Steven A. Leung
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Cameron H. Good
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60601
| | - Zhihai Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Kamyar Firouzi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Kim Butts Pauly
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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