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Whole-Brain 3D Activation and Functional Connectivity Mapping in Mice using Transcranial Functional Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: February 24, 2021
Spatiotemporal Reconfiguration of Functional Brain Networks Following Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation
Cyril Atkinson-Clement1, Stefanos Alexandros Kontogouris2, Marilyn Gatica3
1Brain Research and Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK; Precision Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Brief theta burst transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (TUS) alters brain networks differently based on the target. Cortical stimulation caused widespread changes, while thalamic stimulation had a focal effect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a precise neuromodulation technique.
- Understanding TUS effects on large-scale brain networks and their temporal dynamics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate target-specific alterations in functional brain network topology after theta burst TUS.
- Examine the temporal evolution of these network changes within one hour post-stimulation.
Main Methods:
- 22 healthy participants received TUS targeting the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) or right thalamus.
- Resting-state fMRI was used to assess brain activity at baseline and post-stimulation.
- Graph-theoretical analyses quantified network centrality and global organization (small-worldness).
Main Results:
- IFC stimulation led to progressive network integration reductions and increased global small-worldness.
- Thalamic stimulation caused a focal, stable decrease in betweenness centrality in the precuneus.
- Network changes differed in spatial extent and temporal stability between cortical and subcortical stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Theta burst TUS induces target-dependent, time-varying changes in brain network organization.
- Cortical (IFC) stimulation results in distributed network reconfiguration.
- Subcortical (thalamic) stimulation yields focal and stable network effects, dependent on the stimulated structure's properties.
