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Ultrasound system for precise neuromodulation of human deep brain circuits

Author

Listed:
  • Eleanor Martin

    (University College London)

  • Morgan Roberts

    (University College London)

  • Ioana F. Grigoras

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford
    Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Olivia Wright

    (University College London)

  • Tulika Nandi

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford
    Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Sebastian W. Rieger

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford)

  • Jon Campbell

    (University of Oxford)

  • Tim Boer

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford
    Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Ben T. Cox

    (University College London)

  • Charlotte J. Stagg

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford
    Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Bradley E. Treeby

    (University College London)

Abstract

We introduce an advanced transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) system for precise deep brain neuromodulation, featuring a 256-element helmet-shaped transducer array (555 kHz), stereotactic positioning, individualised planning, and real-time fMRI monitoring. Experiments demonstrated selective modulation of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and connected visual cortex regions. Participants showed significantly increased visual cortex activity during concurrent TUS and visual stimulation, with high cross-individual reproducibility. A theta-burst TUS protocol produced robust neuromodulatory effects, decreasing visual cortex activity for at least 40 min post-stimulation. Control experiments confirmed these effects were specific to the targeted LGN. Our findings reveal this system’s potential to non-invasively modulate deep brain circuits with unprecedented precision and specificity, offering new avenues for studying brain function and developing targeted therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders, with transformative potential for both research and clinical applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleanor Martin & Morgan Roberts & Ioana F. Grigoras & Olivia Wright & Tulika Nandi & Sebastian W. Rieger & Jon Campbell & Tim Boer & Ben T. Cox & Charlotte J. Stagg & Bradley E. Treeby, 2025. "Ultrasound system for precise neuromodulation of human deep brain circuits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63020-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63020-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ben Sorum & Trevor Docter & Vincent Panico & Robert A. Rietmeijer & Stephen G. Brohawn, 2024. "Tension activation of mechanosensitive two-pore domain K+ channels TRAAK, TREK-1, and TREK-2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Sangjin Yoo & David R. Mittelstein & Robert C. Hurt & Jerome Lacroix & Mikhail G. Shapiro, 2022. "Focused ultrasound excites cortical neurons via mechanosensitive calcium accumulation and ion channel amplification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Russell A. Poldrack & Timothy O. Laumann & Oluwasanmi Koyejo & Brenda Gregory & Ashleigh Hover & Mei-Yen Chen & Krzysztof J. Gorgolewski & Jeffrey Luci & Sung Jun Joo & Ryan L. Boyd & Scott Hunicke-Sm, 2015. "Long-term neural and physiological phenotyping of a single human," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Siti N. Yaakub & Tristan A. White & Jamie Roberts & Eleanor Martin & Lennart Verhagen & Charlotte J. Stagg & Stephen Hall & Elsa F. Fouragnan, 2023. "Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
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