Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

Background: For more than seven decades, ultrasound has been used as an imaging and diagnostic tool. Today, new technologies, such as focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation, have revealed some innovative, potential applications. However, those applications have been barely studied to deal with neuropathic pain (NP), a cluster of chronic pain syndromes with a restricted response to conventional pharmaceuticals.

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic potential of low-intensity (LIFUS) and high-intensity (HIFUS) FUS for managing NP.

Methods: We performed a narrative review, including clinical and experimental ultrasound neuromodulation studies published in three main database repositories.

Discussion: Evidence shows that FUS may influence several mechanisms relevant for neuropathic pain management such as modulation of ion channels, glutamatergic neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow, inflammation and neurotoxicity, neuronal morphology and survival, nerve regeneration, and remyelination. Some experimental models have shown that LIFUS may reduce allodynia after peripheral nerve damage. At the same time, a few clinical studies support its beneficial effect on reducing pain in nerve compression syndromes. In turn, Thalamic HIFUS ablation can reduce NP from several etiologies with minor side-effects, but some neurological sequelae might be permanent. HIFUS is also useful in lowering non-neuropathic pain in several disorders.

Conclusion: Although an emerging set of studies brings new evidence on the therapeutic potential of both LIFUS and HIFUS for managing NP with minor side-effects, we need more controlled clinical trials to conclude about its safety and efficacy.