The effect of transcranial ultrasound pulse repetition frequency on sustained inhibition in the human primary motor cortex: A double-blind, sham-controlled study

Abstract

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation hold promise for inducing brain plasticity. However, their limited precision may hamper certain applications. In contrast, Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS), known for its precision and deep brain targeting capabilities, requires further investigation to establish its efficacy in producing enduring effects for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Objective: To investigate the enduring effects of different pulse repetition frequencies (PRF) of TUS on motor corticospinal excitability.

Methods: T1-, T2-weighted, and zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 21 neurologically healthy participants for neuronavigation, skull reconstruction, and the performance of transcranial ultrasound and thermal modelling. The effects of three different TUS PRFs (10, 100, and 1000 Hz) with a constant duty cycle of 10 % on corticospinal excitability in the primary motor cortex were assessed using TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Each PRF and sham condition was evaluated on separate days, with measurements taken 5-, 30-, and 60-min post-TUS.

Results: A significant decrease in MEP amplitude was observed with a PRF of 10 Hz (p = 0.007), which persisted for at least 30 min, and with a PRF of 100 Hz (p = 0.001), lasting over 60 min. However, no significant changes were found for the PRF of 1000 Hz and the sham conditions.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of PRF selection in TUS and underscores its potential as a non-invasive approach to reduce corticospinal excitability, offering valuable insights for future clinical applications.

Keywords: Focused ultrasound; Neuroplasticity; Pulse repetition frequency; Transcranial magnetic stimulation.