ORCID

Abstract

Our understanding of brain circuit operations and disorders has rapidly outpaced our ability to intervene and restore them. Developing technologies that can precisely interface with any brain region and circuit may combine diagnostics with therapeutic intervention, expediting personalised brain medicine. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a promising noninvasive solution to this challenge, offering focal precision and scalability. By exploiting the biomechanics of pressure waves on brain tissue, TUS enables multi-site targeted neuromodulation across distributed circuits in the cortex and deeper areas alike. In this Essay, we explore the emergent evidence that TUS can functionally test and modify dysfunctional regions, effectively serving as a search and rescue tool for the brain. We define the challenges and opportunities faced by TUS as it moves towards greater target precision and integration with advanced brain monitoring and interventional technology. Finally, we propose a roadmap for the evolution of TUS as it progresses from a research tool to a clinically validated therapeutic for brain disorders.

Publication Date

2024-10-29

Publication Title

PLoS Biology

Volume

22

Issue

10

ISSN

1544-9173

Acceptance Date

2024-01-01

Deposit Date

2025-10-15

Funding

The research was funded by a grant from the UKRI Medical Research Council Future Leaders Fellowship and the BBSRC (MR/T023007/1 and BB/Y001494/1) to E.F. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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