Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation using focused ultrasound has largely been carried out
in small animals. In the present study, we applied stimulatory focused ultrasound
transcranially to the primary sensorimotor (SM1) and visual (V1) brain areas in sheep
(Dorset, all female, n = 8), under the guidance of magnetic resonance imaging, and
examined the electrophysiologic responses. By use of a 250-kHz focused ultrasound
transducer, the area was sonicated in pulsed mode (tone-burst duration of 1 ms, duty
cycle of 50%) for 300 ms. The acoustic intensity at the focal target was varied up
to a spatial peak pulse-average intensity (Isppa) of 14.3 W/cm2. Sonication of SM1 elicited electromyographic responses from the contralateral hind
leg, whereas stimulation of V1 generated electroencephalographic potentials. These
responses were detected only above a certain acoustic intensity, and the threshold
intensity, as well as the degree of responses, varied among sheep. Post-sonication
animal behavior was normal, but minor microhemorrhages were observed from the V1 areas
exposed to highly repetitive sonication (every second for ≥500 times for electroencephalographic
measurements, Isppa = 6.6–10.5 W/cm2, mechanical index = 0.9–1.2). Our results suggest the potential translational utility
of focused ultrasound as a new brain stimulation modality, yet also call for caution
in the use of an excessive number of sonications.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 30, 2015
Accepted:
October 1,
2015
Received in revised form:
September 17,
2015
Received:
March 6,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
