Application of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by dopaminergic neuronal loss and α-synuclein aggregation, while current therapies remain symptomatic and limited. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulation modality enabling precise targeting of deep brain structures. This review summarizes its applications in PD from mechanistic and translational perspectives. LIFU acts via two major pathways: direct modulation of cortico-basal ganglia circuits and blood-brain barrier opening for targeted drug delivery. It regulates key pathological processes, including α-synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation and neurotrophic signaling. Despite promising pre-clinical and early clinical results, challenges remain in parameter optimization, variability and long-term safety, warranting further investigation for clinical translation.