Neural NoiseFocused ultrasound stimulation-and-neuromodulation uses converging beams of low-intensity acoustic energy to non-invasively modulate neural activity in targeted brain regions. Unlike electromagnetic stimulation methods such as tms and tdcs, focused ultrasound can reach deep brain structures with millimeter spatial precision through the intact skull, offering a unique combination of depth, focality, and non-invasiveness.
The neuromodulatory effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound are thought to arise from mechanical forces acting on neuronal membranes and mechanosensitive ion channels, though the precise biophysical mechanisms remain under investigation. Studies have demonstrated both excitatory and inhibitory effects depending on stimulation parameters, with applications explored in motor cortex, thalamus, hippocampus, and other targets in both animal models and human subjects.
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is being investigated for a range of applications including treatment of essential tremor, depression, epilepsy, and disorders of consciousness. At higher intensities, focused ultrasound can also open the blood-brain barrier for targeted drug delivery or perform thermal ablation. The development of real-time MRI-guided focusing, phased array transducer systems, and personalized acoustic modeling based on individual skull anatomy is advancing the precision and clinical translation of this emerging neuromodulation modality.