Open AccessPrecise Ultrasound Neuromodulation in a Deep Brain Region Using Nano Gas Vesicles as Actuators
Author(s) -
Hou Xuandi,
Qiu Zhihai,
Xian Quanxiang,
Kala Shashwati,
Jing Jianing,
Wong Kin Fung,
Zhu Jiejun,
Guo Jinghui,
Zhu Ting,
Yang Minyi,
Sun Lei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202101934
Subject(s) - mechanosensitive channels , ultrasound , neurostimulation , neuromodulation , in vivo , vesicle , focused ultrasound , biomedical engineering , materials science , biophysics , nanotechnology , chemistry , ion channel , neuroscience , stimulation , medicine , biology , membrane , biochemistry , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , radiology
Ultrasound is a promising new modality for non‐invasive neuromodulation. Applied transcranially, it can be focused down to the millimeter or centimeter range. The ability to improve the treatment's spatial resolution to a targeted brain region could help to improve its effectiveness, depending upon the application. The present paper details a neurostimulation scheme using gas‐filled nanostructures, gas vesicles (GVs), as actuators for improving the efficacy and precision of ultrasound stimuli. Sonicated primary neurons display dose‐dependent, repeatable Ca 2+ responses, closely synced to stimuli, and increased nuclear expression of the activation marker c‐Fos in the presence of GVs. GV‐mediated ultrasound triggered rapid and reversible Ca 2+ responses in vivo and could selectively evoke neuronal activation in a deep‐seated brain region. Further investigation indicate that mechanosensitive ion channels are important mediators of this effect. GVs themselves and the treatment scheme are also found not to induce significant cytotoxicity, apoptosis, or membrane poration in treated cells. Altogether, this study demonstrates a simple and effective method to achieve enhanced and better‐targeted neurostimulation with non‐invasive low‐intensity ultrasound.