An ageing population is often accompanied by an increase in age‑related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that impairs body movement and which is mainly alleviated by medicines or surgical procedures.
The PolyU research team, led by Prof. Lei SUN, Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Research Centre for Non-invasive Brain Computer Interface at PolyU; and Prof. Zhihai QIU, a PhD graduate of the department, has developed the next‑generation "All‑Acoustics Brain‑Computer Interface (BCI) System", leveraging "transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation" to deliver fully non‑invasive, deep‑brain and high‑precision neural modulation with ultrasound.
The system presents a promising new therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson’s disease, as well as other neurological and psychiatric disorders. The team has begun clinical research in collaboration with Huashan Hospital in Shanghai and Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University.
The two existing BCI technologies in the market have their own constraints, whereas the PolyU "All‑Acoustics Brain‑Computer Interface (BCI) System" modulates brain cells by utilising ultrasound to achieve non‑invasive treatment for relieving Parkinsonian symptoms with the PolyU-developed helmet-shaped gear, at the same time significantly enhances precision with sonogenetics technology.
This All-Acoustics BCI System represents a significant breakthrough in the field of biomedical engineering, and contributes to medical technology innovation and the wellbeing of our Nation via collaboration with leading hospitals in Mainland China.
In addition to Parkinson’s disease, the team is testing transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation for treating depression, weight control and sleep regulation. Devoted to the study of sonogenetics for a decade, Prof. SUN’s team has achieved remarkable results, filing more than ten patents for various technical approaches while receiving total research funding of over HK$76 million from the Innovation and Technology Fund, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. Prof. SUN has also been named a Senior Research Fellow in 2025/26 by the Research Grants Council for his research in sonogenetics.
More: https://polyu.hk/elzHR
Press coverage: NOW, RTHK, Sing Tao Headline, TVB News, Wen Wei Po
