Transcranial ultrasound stimulation as a tool to causally modulate the human hippocampus
Abstract
Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation has, until recently, had limited effect on deep brain circuits critical for memory. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has emerged as a promising tool to address this limitation. By delivering spatially focused acoustic energy, TUS enables targeted modulation of deep brain structures such as the hippocampus. TUS therefore provides new opportunities to causally modulate activity in neural circuits important for memory.
Objective:: This perspective discusses how TUS provides a potential methodological advance for human memory research, examining the mechanistic basis of the technology, emerging empirical evidence, and outstanding interpretative and technical limitations.
Methods:: We synthesise human and animal TUS studies targeting hippocampal and other memory-relevant circuits, compare TUS with alternative brain stimulation approaches and discuss potential clinical applications for TUS in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE).
Results:: TUS provides a tool to modulate activity in deep circuits that have been inaccessible to other forms of non-invasive brain stimulation. Human TUS studies to date document changes in neurochemistry, functional connectivity, and memory-relevant behaviour. Moreover, clinical studies in AD and mTLE report memory improvement and seizure reduction, respectively. To guide future work, we outline five critical considerations: uncertain directionality of effects, individual…
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