Project

Investigating the mechanism of action and mode of action of non-invasive neuromodulation through the application of ultrasonic waves

Code
DOCT/011744
Duration
22 February 2024 → 21 September 2025 (Ongoing)
Doctoral researcher
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Neurological and neuromuscular diseases
    • Neurophysiology
Keywords
Neuromodulation Focused ultrasound
 
Project description

Brain disorders affect one in four people and treatment is often ineffective or invasive. It is an aspiration of medicine and neuroscience to non-invasively modulate any given region of the brain with high precision. Ultrasonic waves can be safely focused through the human skull and are able to modulate neuronal activity at millimeter resolution. The currently available ultrasonic
neuromodulation protocols for human applications have short-lasting effects and corresponding clinical potential. In this project the aim is to develop protocols able to induce longer lasting effects, i.e., beyond the duration of application in healthy volunteers. We will investigate the potential of two pre-clinically promising so-called low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (Li-tFUS) protocols using both stateof-the-art imaging and electrophysiological read-outs. This translational approach is a necessary prerequisite to work towards the full clinical potential to use Li-tFUS as an effective, non invasive, treatment for patients with prevalent brain disorders such as epilepsy, movement disorders, brain tumors and dementia.