PolyU all-acoustics brain-computer interface system forges new paths for Parkinson’s disease therapy through precise ultrasound neuromodulation | PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR)

Imagine a future where treating Parkinson’s disease no longer requires surgeries or invasive implants, but instead a simple helmet that uses ultrasound to tune the brain. This is exactly what Prof. SUN Lei, Director of Non-invasive Brain Computer Interface Research Center, Member of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Professor of Department of Biomedical Engineering at PolyU, Prof. QIU Zhihai, a PhD graduate of the same department, and their research team are working on with their “All Acoustics Brain Computer Interface (BCI) System”.

The system harnesses the physical properties of ultrasound to penetrate the skull and precisely target deep brain regions. Featuring a transcranial sparse ultrasound array comprising more than 128 individual transducer elements, it is paired with a custom driving system capable of independently controlling each channel for precise manipulation of the acoustic field. The BCI system can communicate with the brain to modulate its functions. With the helmet-shaped gear, brain cells can be modulated by utilising ultrasound to achieve non-invasive treatment for relieving Parkinsonian symptoms.

Building on ultrasound neuromodulation, the team has further developed sonogenetics technology to significantly enhance precision. The sonogenetics technology can precisely identify and modulate targeted cell types—it is currently the only technique of its kind to be successfully validated by multiple independent laboratories, demonstrating its scientific significance.

The team has begun clinical research in collaboration with Huashan Hospital in Shanghai and Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. In the next stage, Prof. Sun will expand the scale of clinical validation. He plans to collaborate with five leading medical centres to conduct a clinical study involving 100 Parkinson’s disease patients and systematically assess the ultrasound technique’s safety and efficacy, paving the way for regulatory approval and commercialisation. Looking ahead, the team also aims to partner with Hong Kong hospitals for clinical study and develop a more portable household version of the system, enabling patients to receive continuous treatment at home.

The team’s research findings have been published in leading international journals, including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature Communications and Cell Reports.

Press release: https://polyu.me/40ozANd

Online coverage:

TVB - https://polyu.me/3NlLGDN

Now TV - https://polyu.me/46TpLKJ; https://polyu.me/4ruo1z1

i-Cable - https://polyu.me/47GvMut

RTHK - https://polyu.me/4rv2RRn

CRHK - https://polyu.me/47J5EiD

Metro Radio - https://polyu.me/4b5Fb0W

Mirage - https://polyu.me/4bkXApw

The National Tribune - https://polyu.me/3NAxS8r

Opengov - https://polyu.me/416fNCc

Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/410DE6i