Differential dose responses of transcranial focused ultrasound at brain regions indicate causal interactions

Abstract

We have previously shown that focused ultrasound (FUS) pulses in low pressure range exerted bidirectional and brain state-dependent neuromodulation in the nonhuman primate somatosensory cortices by fMRI. Here we aim to gain insights about the proposed neuron selective modulation of FUS and probe feedforward versus feedback interactions by simultaneously quantifying the stimulus (FUS pressures: 925, 425, 250 kPa) and response (% BOLD fMRI changes) function at the targeted area 3a/3b and off-target cortical areas at 7T. In resting-state, lowered intensities of FUS resulted in decreased fMRI signal changes at the target area 3a/3b and off-target area 1/2, S2, MCC, insula and auditory cortex, and no signal difference in thalamic VPL and MD nuclei. In activated states, concurrent high-intensity FUS significantly enhanced touch-evoked signals in area 1/2. Medium- and low-intensity FUS significantly suppressed touch-evoked BOLD signals in all areas except in the auditory cortex, VPL and MD thalamic nuclei. Distinct state dependent and dose-response curves led us to hypothesize that FUS's neuromodulatory effects may be mediated through preferential activation of different populations of neurons. Area 3a/3b may have distinct causal feedforward and feedback interactions with Area 1/2, S2, MCC, insula, and VPL. FUS offers a noninvasive neural stimulation tool for dissecting brain circuits and probing causal functional connections.

Keywords: Brain circuit; Hand; Neuromodulation; Primates; Somatosensory; Transcranial focused ultrasound; fMRI.