Transcranial Ultrasound Neuromodulation of the Thalamic Visual Pathway in a Large Animal Model and the Dose-response Relationship with MR-ARFI

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2022 Nov 15

PMID 36379960

Authors

Morteza Mohammadjavadi

Ryan T Ash

Ningrui Li

Pooja Gaur

Jan Kubanek

Yamil Saenz

Gary H Glover

Gerald R Popelka

Anthoney M Norcia

Kim Butts Pauly

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Neuromodulation of deep brain structures via transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a promising, but still elusive approach to non-invasive treatment of brain disorders. The purpose of this study was to confirm that MR-guided TUS of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) can modulate visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the intact large animal; and to study the impact on cortical brain oscillations. The LGN on one side was identified with T2-weighted MRI in sheep (all male, n = 9). MR acoustic radiation force imaging (MR-ARFI) was used to confirm localization of the targeted area in the brain. Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were recorded, and the visual evoked potential (VEP) peak-to-peak amplitude (N70 and P100) was calculated for each trial. Time-frequency spectral analysis was performed to elucidate the effect of TUS on cortical brain dynamics. The VEP peak-to-peak amplitude was reversibly suppressed relative to baseline during TUS. Dynamic spectral analysis demonstrated a change in cortical oscillations when TUS is paired with visual sensory input. Sonication-associated microscopic displacements, as measured by MR-ARFI, correlated with the TUS-mediated suppression of visual evoked activity. TUS non-invasively delivered to LGN can neuromodulate visual activity and oscillatory dynamics in large mammalian brains.

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