Brain Stimulation
Experimental setup for in vivo ultrasound neuromodulation
Simulation results of the 2D beam profile of the CMUT ring array
EMG recording results before and after ultrasound stimulation and
photos of mouse forepaw before and after ultrasound stimulation
showing induced motor response
Introduction
With an increasing understanding of our brain functions and connectomes, we are not only interested passive read-outs of brain signals but also active modulation of our brain signals. Thus, various invasive stimulation modalities from electrical, chemical, and optical have been introduced to stimulate deep-brain regions to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
What is problem and why is it important?
Many studied stimulation modalities such as electrical, chemical, and optical are highly effective but difficult to be applied to humans due to their invasive nature. Thus, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been actively researched as a therapeutic tool for human treatment. However, due to lack of focusing capability of magnetic wave and small penetration depth, TMS has been limited in its uses to shallow brain regions. However, since many interesting and important parts of our brain are located deep in our brain, there is still a need for a stimulation tool that enables deep-brain stimulation non-invasively. Thus, focused ultrasound has recently studied as a new enabling stimulation modality for human treatment.
Our approach
In our lab, we aim to develop an ultrasound neuromodulation system that allows stimulation of deep-brain regions non-invasively.