The DOI matches its Crossref record; 70 of the 71 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A Review of the Current Therapies, Challenges, and Future Directions of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Technology: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment
Abstract
Importance: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound ablation has been approved for the treatment of refractory essential tremor and is being studied for other neurological indications, including dyskinesias and tremor in Parkinson disease, dystonia, neuropathic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy, and brain tumors. Objective: To review the scientific foundations of FUS technology, existing neurological applications, and future advances. Evidence Review: PubMed was searched for the past 10 years using the terms "transcranial ultrasound," "focused ultrasound," and "neurological applications." Relevant references were selected from the author's reference collection. From the 2855 unique records, 243 publications were screened. After excluding abstracts detailing in vitro studies or non-neurological applications, 86 full texts were retrieved for qualitative review. Findings: Advances in the transducer design and electronic phase correction have allowed efficient focusing of ultrasounds for transcranial treatment. The mid-frequency (650 kHz) transducer can make small (4-6 mm in diameter) and precise (accuracy of <2 mm) brain lesions. The treatment monitoring is achieved via "live" anatomical thermography imaging and clinical feedback. The initial results from its clinical application in movement disorders are encouraging. Emerging applications in epilepsy and neurobehavioral and cognitive disorders are being explored. The low-frequency (220 kHz) transducer coupled with microbubbles can potentially enable targeted drug delivery for novel applications, such as Alzheimer disease and brain tumors. Finally, neuromodulation with subthreshold sonications may allow the interrogation of brain areas previously not accessible for electrical stimulation. Conclusions and Relevance: Transcranial focused ultrasound for both ablative and nonablative applications is noninvasive, making it suitable for selected patients who are not candidates for conventional surgical options. Future advancements in imaging and sonication algorithms will improve the safety and efficacy of this technology.
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“Animal studies have demonstrated safe and reversible BBB opening (4, 6, 7) as well as reduction of amyloid-beta plaque, neurogenesis, and improvement of memory.”
From Noninvasive hippocampal blood-brain barrier opening in Alzheimer's disease with focused ultrasound. (2020) · cites this paper as [4]
In the citing paper
“Animal studies have demonstrated safe and reversible BBB opening (4, 6, 7) as well as reduction of amyloid-beta plaque, neurogenesis, and improvement of memory.”
From Noninvasive hippocampal blood-brain barrier opening in Alzheimer's disease with focused ultrasound. (2020) · cites this paper as [4]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Krishna, V., Sammartino, F., & Rezai, A.
- Affiliations
- The Ohio State University (US)
- Venue
- JAMA Neurology
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 2018-02-01
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 246
- ISSN
- 2168-6149 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2771503729
- Cited by
- 289
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 32 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 14
- FWCI
- 8.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- JAMA Neurology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
- Keywords
- transcranial focused ultrasound, essential tremor, movement disorders, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, neuromodulation, microbubbles, targeted drug delivery, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, transducer design, phase correction, infrared thermography
- MeSH terms
- Brain Diseases, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
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