TUS modulation of brain networks
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transcranial ultrasound to modulate motor and cognitive brain networks in Parkinsonian syndromes and dementias
IRAS ID
352223
Contact name
Ashwini Oswal
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
We will test whether non-invasively stimulating the brain using ultrasound (a medical technology that is commonly used for diagnostic procedures) can modulate brain activity, leading to improvements in memory and movement in patients with neurological diseases.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive illness causing impairments in movement and memory. Some patients with PD develop dementia (PDD) which shares many clinical features with a condition called dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Together PDD and DLB account for over 15% of all dementia cases. Both conditions are characterised by characterised by fluctuations in memory and attention, with subsequent incurable progression to severe impairments of daily functioning. Many of the symptoms of LBD are believed to be caused by the progressive loss of brain cells that produce a chemical called acetylcholine.
Movement dysfunction in PD is characterized by tremor, slowness of movements, rigidity and sometimes gait and postural impairments. Motor impairments are classically associated with the degeneration of cells producing a chemical called dopamine. Most patients are therefore effectively treated with dopamine replacement therapies. When medication alone is insufficient for controlling symptoms, a surgical procedure known as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can be considered. This involves the insertion of electrodes into deep brain areas which can then be stimulated at high frequencies to bring about improvements in specific symptoms. Although DBS is predominantly performed for controlling motor symptoms, there is some evidence from preclinical studies to suggest that DBS may enhance acetylcholine release.
We will leverage recent advances in focused ultrasound brain stimulation to increase the activity and function of brain regions that control movement and memory. We will measure how ultrasound stimulation influences memory, attention and movement in patients with dementia and PD. MRI brain imaging and EEG will be used to assess the effects of focused ultrasound stimulation on brain function.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0470
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion