Structural-Functional Brain Network Modulation using Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation: Implications on the...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

Background:

• Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) offers precise, deep brain stimulation.
• Understanding tFUS's network modulation capabilities and optimal parameters is crucial.
• The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is key to the default mode network (DMN).

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate tFUS effects on the DMN by targeting the mPFC.
• Determine if varying sonication parameters modulates the DMN.
• Assess tFUS impact on structure-function correspondence within brain networks.

Main Methods:

• 21 healthy participants received excitatory, suppressive, or sham tFUS targeting the mPFC.
• Diffusion-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI assessed brain connectomes.
• Changes in structure-function correspondence were compared across groups post-tFUS.

Main Results:

• tFUS generally increased structure-function coupling near the mPFC after excitatory and suppressive stimulation.
• Excitatory tFUS significantly enhanced structure-function correspondence within the DMN.
• The study identified specific tFUS parameters for effective DMN modulation.

Conclusions:

• Optimized tFUS protocols can effectively modulate the default mode network.
• Findings provide insights for refining tFUS for brain network interventions.
• tFUS shows potential as a non-invasive therapeutic tool for neurological conditions.