Nanobubble actuated ultrasound deep brain stimulation

Ultrasound (US) is a promising new modality for non-invasive neuromodulation. Nanomaterials-enabled nanotechnology can achieve a high spatial resolution for neural stimulation. This technology can report spatially confined ultrasound neural stimulation in a deep brain area through gas-filled nanostructures (GVs). When exposed to ultrasound fields, vibration of GVs triggered reversible neuronal Ca2+ responses, closely synced to stimuli, and increased nuclear expression of the activation marker c-Fos. Moreover, the ultrasound parameter has negligible influence on cell membrane integrity or temperature which confirms that GVs-ultrasound activates neurons through the mechanosensitive ion channels but not via cavitation or thermal effect. This is an effective method to achieve spatially confined neural stimulation of mouse brain in deep brain regions.