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Ji N, Li Y, Wei J, Chen F, Xu L, Li G, Lin WH. Autonomic modulation by low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation of the vagus nerve. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 36541473 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aca8cd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Our previous study has shown that low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) of the vagus nerve could modulate blood pressure (BP), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that low-intensity FUS of the vagus nerve would regulate autonomic function and thus BP.Approach.17 anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve for 15 min each trial. Continuous BP, heart rate, respiration rate (RR), and core body temperature were simultaneously recorded to evaluate the effects on BP and other physiological parameters. Heart rate variability (HRV), systolic BP variability, and baroreflex sensitivity were computed to evaluate the autonomic modulation function. A Control-sham group without stimulation and another Control-FUS group with non-target stimulation were also examined to exclude the influence of potential confounding factors on autonomic modulation.Main results.A prolonged significant decrease in BP, pulse pressure, RR, the normalized low-frequency power of HRV, and the low-to-high frequency power ratio of HRV were found after the low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve in comparison with the baseline and those of the control groups, demonstrating that activities of the sympathetic nervous system were inhibited. The prolonged significant increase of the normalized high-frequency power of HRV suggested the activation of parasympathetic activity.Significance.Low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve effectively improved the autonomic function by activating parasympathetic efferent and inhibiting sympathetic efferent, which contributes to BP reduction. The findings shed light on the hypotensive mechanism underlying FUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ji
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China.,CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanheng Li
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisheng Xu
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanglin Li
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan-Hua Lin
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
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Wang Y, Bai Y, Xiao X, Wang L, Wei G, Guo M, Song X, Tian Y, Ming D, Yang J, Zheng C. Low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation reverses social avoidance behavior in mice experiencing social defeat stress. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:5580-5596. [PMID: 35188969 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The excitatory neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) respond to social stimuli. However, little is known about how the neural activity is altered during social avoidance, and whether it could act as a target of low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) to rescue social deficits. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of neuronal activities and inflammatory responses underlying the effect of LIFUS on social avoidance. We found that chronic LIFUS stimulation can effectively improve social avoidance in the defeated mice. Calcium imaging recordings by fiber photometry in the defeated mice showed inhibited ensemble activity during social behaviors. LIFUS instantaneously triggered the mPFC neuronal activities, and chronic LIFUS significantly enhanced their neuronal excitation related to social interactions. We further found that the excessive activation of microglial cells and the overexpression of the inflammation signaling, i.e. Toll-like receptors(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-КB), in mPFC were significantly inhibited by LIFUS. These results suggest that the LIFUS may inhibit social avoidance behavior by reducing activation of the inflammatory response, increasing neuronal excitation, and protecting the integrity of the neuronal structure in the mPFC. Our findings raised the possibility of LIFUS being applied as novel neuromodulation for social avoidance treatment in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Wang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xi Xiao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ganjiang Wei
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Mingkun Guo
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xizi Song
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yutao Tian
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chenguang Zheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
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Ji N, Lin WH, Chen F, Xu L, Huang J, Li G. Blood Pressure Modulation With Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Stimulation to the Vagus Nerve: A Pilot Animal Study. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:586424. [PMID: 33304236 PMCID: PMC7693571 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.586424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective For hypertensive individuals, their blood pressure (BP) is often managed by taking medications. However, antihypertensive drugs might cause adverse effects such as congestive heart failure and are ineffective in significant numbers of the hypertensive population. As an alternative method for hypertension management, non-drug devices-based neuromodulation approaches such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) have been proposed. The FES approach requires the implantation of a stimulator into the body. One recently emerging technique, called low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS), has been proposed to non-invasively modulate neural activities. In this pilot study, the feasibility of adopting low-intensity FUS neuromodulation for BP regulation was investigated using animal models. Methods A FUS system was developed for BP modulation in rabbits. For each rabbit, the low-intensity FUS with different acoustic intensities was used to stimulate its exposed left vagus nerve, and the BP waveform was synchronously recorded in its right common carotid artery. The effects of the different FUS intensities on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were extensively examined from the BP recordings. Results The results demonstrated that the proposed FUS method could successfully induce changes in SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR values. When increasing acoustic intensities, the values of SBP, DBP, and MAP would tend to decrease more substantially. Conclusion The findings of this study suggested that BP could be modulated through the FUS, which might provide a new way for non-invasive and non-drug management of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ji
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, China.,College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wan-Hua Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisheng Xu
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanglin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, China
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