Transcranial low-intensity ultrasound stimulation for treating central nervous system disorders: A promising therapeutic application

Abstract

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is a neurostimulation technique that has gradually attracted the attention of researchers, especially as a potential therapy for neurological disorders, because of its high spatial resolution, its good penetration depth, and its non-invasiveness. Ultrasound can be categorized as high-intensity and low-intensity based on the intensity of its acoustic wave. High-intensity ultrasound can be used for thermal ablation by taking advantage of its high-energy characteristics. Low-intensity ultrasound, which produces low energy, can be used as a means to regulate the nervous system. The present review describes the current status of research on low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (LITUS) in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, essential tremor, depression, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies using LITUS to treat the aforementioned neurological disorders and discusses their underlying mechanisms.

TRPC6 is a mechanosensitive channel essential for ultrasound neuromodulation in mammalian brain

“…In conclusion, we found that TRPC6 is an essential intrinsic mediator of ultrasound neuromodulation in cortical neurons of the mammalian brain. Since it has been reported that transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation ameliorates the brain pathologies and behavior abnormalities of animal models for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease (46, 47), TRPC6 may contribute to the beneficial mechanism in ultrasound neuromodulation and can also be an attractive pharmacological target for disease-modifying therapies. Our findings provide new insight for the encouragement of further investment in ultrasound neuromodulation, and the application of this modulatory technology to animal models will provide in vivo evidence for pivotal roles played by the discovered mechanical processes.…”

Liability, risks, and recommendations for ultrasound use in the diagnosis of obstetrics diseases

“…This is the primary risk to developing embryos and babies [ [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] ]. Animal research using both non-ultrasound and ultrasound technologies has shown that maternal heat exposure is hazardous to the developing embryo/fetus [ 60 , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] ]. It seems to be the case if the temperature increases by more than 1.5 °C over the physiological threshold.…”

Transcriptomic Alterations in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex of Chronic Unpredictable Stress Rats Induced by Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound.

“…Among various neuromodulation techniques, ultrasound stimulation has emerged as a promising strategy for treating central nervous system diseases due to its high e ciency, non-invasiveness, and favorable side effect pro le [7,8]. Furthermore, accumulating evidence supports the effectiveness of ultrasound stimulation as a therapeutic intervention for depression.…”