Ultrasound Technologies for Imaging and Modulating Neural Activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biotechnology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Current electrical and optical neuroscience techniques face limitations in scaling for brain-wide imaging and perturbation.
• Ultrasound offers non-invasive penetration of the brain and skull with high resolution (100 μm, 1 ms).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the state-of-the-art and ongoing developments in ultrasonic neurotechnology.
• To highlight the potential of ultrasound for large-scale brain imaging and modulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of established and emerging ultrasonic neurotechnology applications.
• Discussion of fundamental principles, current utility, and future potential of ultrasound in neuroscience.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound enables high-resolution hemodynamic functional imaging.
• Focused ultrasound allows for effective neuromodulation and targeted drug delivery.
• Emerging breakthroughs connect ultrasound to genetic targets for biomolecular imaging and sonogenetics.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound is a promising modality for advancing brain-wide neural activity visualization and perturbation.
• Continued development in ultrasonic neurotechnology holds significant potential for neuroscience research and clinical applications.