Transcranial ultrasound stimulation to human middle temporal complex improves visual motion detection and modulates electrophysiological responses

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.08.022
• Publication Date: 2022-09-05T23:30:48Z
• Authors: Christopher R. Bu...; Edward Rhodes; Joseph Blackmore; Xinghao Cheng; Robert L. Peach; Michele Veldsman; Fintan Sheerin; Robin O. Cleveland
• Keywords: Neuromodulation; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Brain stimulation

BackgroundTranscranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) holds promise as a novel technology for non-invasive neuromodulation, with greater spatial precision than other available methods and the ability to target deep brain structures. However, its safety efficacy behavioural electrophysiological modulation remains controversial it is not yet clear whether can be used manipulate neural mechanisms supporting higher cognitive function in humans. Moreover, concerns have been raised about potential TUS-induced auditory confound.ObjectivesWe aimed investigate TUS modulate higher-order visual humans an anatomically-specific way whilst controlling confounds.MethodsWe participant-specific skull maps, functional localisation of targets, acoustic modelling neuronavigation guide delivery human motion processing cortex (hMT+) participants performed detection task. We compared effects hMT+ sham control site examined EEG data task-specific event-related potentials. An mask was applied which prevented from distinguishing between trials.ResultsCompared stimulation, improved accuracy reduced response times detection. also led potential. The amplitude this correlated performance benefit induced by TUS. No pathological changes were observed comparing structural MRI obtained before after stimulation.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate first time precision, confounds.