Transcranial pulse stimulation modulates neuronal activity and functional network dynamics
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Author / Producer
Date
2025-11
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Background
Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) has recently been proposed as a promising non-invasive technique for treating neurological disorders. While neuropsychological improvements in treated Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients support its safety and preliminary clinical effectiveness, the fundamental mechanisms of TPS action on the brain remain unclear.
Objective
In this study, we explore the effects of TPS on neuronal activity and brain circuitry in healthy and AD mouse models.
Methods
We utilized fluorescence calcium imaging combined with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and c-Fos immunohistochemistry for validation.
We imaged TPS-treated mouse brains expressing genetically encoded calcium indicator and compared the imaging data from AD mouse strains to wild-type controls, followed by immunohistochemical analysis of neuronal activation to support the in vivo imaging findings.
Results
TPS induced robust calcium influxes in GCaMP + mice, increased c-Fos expression in the dentate gyrus, and rapidly but transiently reorganized functional connectivity across brain networks, particularly within the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and other limbic regions. At higher stimulation intensities, TPS is shown to trigger spreading depolarization waves.
Conclusion
These findings support the hypothesis that TPS-induced mechanical effects can effectively modulate brain activity while averting tissue heating and cavitation, thus shedding light on observed beneficial effects in patients and paving the way for further optimization of TPS as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Publication status
published
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Book title
Journal / series
Volume
18 (6)
Pages / Article No.
1834 - 1842
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Transcranial pulse stimulation; Therapeutic ultrasound; Calcium influx; Reorganization of functional network
Organisational unit
09648 - Razansky, Daniel / Razansky, Daniel