Lee, Wonhye Kim, Hyungmin Jung, Yujin Song, In-Uk Chung, Yong An Yoo, Seung-Schik 2024-01-20T07:32:24Z 2024-01-20T07:32:24Z 2021-09-05 2015-03 2045-2322 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/125672 Focused ultrasound (FUS) has recently been investigated as a new mode of non-invasive brain stimulation, which offers exquisite spatial resolution and depth control. We report on the elicitation of explicit somatosensory sensations as well as accompanying evoked electroencephalographic (EEG) potentials induced by FUS stimulation of the human somatosensory cortex. As guided by individual-specific neuroimage data, FUS was transcranially delivered to the hand somatosensory cortex among healthy volunteers. The sonication elicited transient tactile sensations on the hand area contralateral to the sonicated hemisphere, with anatomical specificity of up to a finger, while EEG recordings revealed the elicitation of sonication-specific evoked potentials. Retrospective numerical simulation of the acoustic propagation through the skull showed that a threshold of acoustic intensity may exist for successful cortical stimulation. The neurological and neuroradiological assessment before and after the sonication, along with strict safety considerations through the individual-specific estimation of effective acoustic intensity in situ and thermal effects, showed promising initial safety profile; however, equal/more rigorous precautionary procedures are advised for future studies. The transient and localized stimulation of the brain using image-guided transcranial FUS may serve as a novel tool for the non-invasive assessment and modification of region-specific brain function. English NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP Image-guided transcranial focused ultrasound stimulates human primary somatosensory cortex Article 10.1038/srep08743 1 Scientific Reports, v.5 Scientific Reports 5 N scie scopus 000350375900016 2-s2.0-84924326389 Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology - Other Topics Article LOW-INTENSITY ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION MAGNETIC STIMULATION EVOKED-POTENTIALS BRAIN-STIMULATION MEDIAN NERVE AREAS SENSATION REGISTRATION PERSPECTIVES focused ultrasound neuromodulation image-guided navigation