EAP-FUS022 (Yoo): FUS Mediated Reversible Modulation of Region Specific Brain Function

Abstract

The goal of the proposed research is to investigate the feasibility of using low-intensity and lowfrequency focused ultrasound energy to reversibly modulate the activity of a region-specific brain area. We will modulate the cortical activity from an animal brain using FUS sonication, as monitored by real-time functional MRI. Prior to the animal experiment, in-vitro phantoms containing neural cells will be constructed and sonicated to estimate the range of suitable sonication parameters. This work is expected to provide an unprecedented opportunity for the transient functional modulation of targeted brain regions, creating a new line of applications, such as FUS-mediated functional mapping