Toolkit/transcranial ultrasound stimulation

transcranial ultrasound stimulation

Assay Method·Research·Since 2025

Also known as: TUS

Taxonomy: Technique Branch / Method. Workflows sit above the mechanism and technique branches rather than replacing them.

Summary

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, such as ... transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), have emerged as promising alternatives.

Usefulness & Problems

Why this is useful

TUS is included in the supplied scaffold as a related modality name within the ultrasound neuromodulation literature relevant to mood and psychiatric applications.; transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation studies of mental states and psychiatric circuits; TUS is presented as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique. The paper discusses it as a modality with promising clinical potential in rehabilitation and neurological disease research.; non-invasive neuromodulation; rehabilitation-related neuromodulation research; TUS uses low intensity ultrasound waves to modulate brain activity. In this review it is framed as a precise, noninvasive, and reversible brain stimulation technology with millimetric spatial accuracy.; noninvasive brain stimulation; millimetric spatial targeting in the brain; deep brain stimulation applications in psychiatry; TUS is presented as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates brain activity in the context of epilepsy management. The review includes it as one of the selected NIBS modalities.; non-invasive modulation of brain activity in epilepsy management; alternative treatment approach for drug-resistant epilepsy; Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is presented as a non-genetic neuromodulation modality for regulating neural activity.; non-genetic neuromodulation

Source:

TUS is included in the supplied scaffold as a related modality name within the ultrasound neuromodulation literature relevant to mood and psychiatric applications.

Source:

transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation studies of mental states and psychiatric circuits

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TUS is presented as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique. The paper discusses it as a modality with promising clinical potential in rehabilitation and neurological disease research.

Source:

non-invasive neuromodulation

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rehabilitation-related neuromodulation research

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TUS uses low intensity ultrasound waves to modulate brain activity. In this review it is framed as a precise, noninvasive, and reversible brain stimulation technology with millimetric spatial accuracy.

Source:

noninvasive brain stimulation

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millimetric spatial targeting in the brain

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deep brain stimulation applications in psychiatry

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TUS is presented as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates brain activity in the context of epilepsy management. The review includes it as one of the selected NIBS modalities.

Source:

non-invasive modulation of brain activity in epilepsy management

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alternative treatment approach for drug-resistant epilepsy

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Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is presented as a non-genetic neuromodulation modality for regulating neural activity.

Source:

non-genetic neuromodulation

Problem solved

It serves as a literature-recognized label for transcranial ultrasound-based neural modulation.; provides a broader transcranial ultrasound stimulation modality label used in the literature; It offers a way to modulate the brain without invasive procedures. The source frames this as useful for neuromodulation applications with therapeutic potential.; provides a non-invasive neuromodulation approach with clinical potential; The review positions TUS as a way to meet unmet needs for noninvasive deep brain stimulation, especially in psychiatric disorders. Its key advantage is combining noninvasiveness with precise spatial targeting.; addresses unmet noninvasive deep brain stimulation clinical needs in psychiatry; It is framed as an alternative therapeutic approach for epilepsy, especially where standard drug treatment is limited by resistance or side effects.; provides a non-pharmacological alternative where drug resistance or drug side effects limit treatment; It provides a non-genetic route to neuromodulation.; provides a non-genetic approach for modulating neural activity

Source:

It serves as a literature-recognized label for transcranial ultrasound-based neural modulation.

Source:

provides a broader transcranial ultrasound stimulation modality label used in the literature

Source:

It offers a way to modulate the brain without invasive procedures. The source frames this as useful for neuromodulation applications with therapeutic potential.

Source:

provides a non-invasive neuromodulation approach with clinical potential

Source:

The review positions TUS as a way to meet unmet needs for noninvasive deep brain stimulation, especially in psychiatric disorders. Its key advantage is combining noninvasiveness with precise spatial targeting.

Source:

addresses unmet noninvasive deep brain stimulation clinical needs in psychiatry

Source:

It is framed as an alternative therapeutic approach for epilepsy, especially where standard drug treatment is limited by resistance or side effects.

Source:

provides a non-pharmacological alternative where drug resistance or drug side effects limit treatment

Source:

It provides a non-genetic route to neuromodulation.

Source:

provides a non-genetic approach for modulating neural activity

Problem links

addresses unmet noninvasive deep brain stimulation clinical needs in psychiatry

Literature

The review positions TUS as a way to meet unmet needs for noninvasive deep brain stimulation, especially in psychiatric disorders. Its key advantage is combining noninvasiveness with precise spatial targeting.

Source:

The review positions TUS as a way to meet unmet needs for noninvasive deep brain stimulation, especially in psychiatric disorders. Its key advantage is combining noninvasiveness with precise spatial targeting.

provides a broader transcranial ultrasound stimulation modality label used in the literature

Literature

It serves as a literature-recognized label for transcranial ultrasound-based neural modulation.

Source:

It serves as a literature-recognized label for transcranial ultrasound-based neural modulation.

provides a non-genetic approach for modulating neural activity

Literature

It provides a non-genetic route to neuromodulation.

Source:

It provides a non-genetic route to neuromodulation.

provides a non-invasive neuromodulation approach with clinical potential

Literature

It offers a way to modulate the brain without invasive procedures. The source frames this as useful for neuromodulation applications with therapeutic potential.

Source:

It offers a way to modulate the brain without invasive procedures. The source frames this as useful for neuromodulation applications with therapeutic potential.

provides a non-pharmacological alternative where drug resistance or drug side effects limit treatment

Literature

It is framed as an alternative therapeutic approach for epilepsy, especially where standard drug treatment is limited by resistance or side effects.

Source:

It is framed as an alternative therapeutic approach for epilepsy, especially where standard drug treatment is limited by resistance or side effects.

Published Workflows

Objective: Analyze the status of transcranial ultrasound stimulation research by characterizing annual publication trends, international and institutional cooperation patterns, influential authors and journals, and keyword hotspots.

Why it works: The study combines a comprehensive Web of Science search, independent article screening by two researchers, and visualization with bibliometric software to summarize the research landscape.

literature searchindependent screeningbibliometric visualization

Stages

  1. 1.
    Comprehensive literature search(broad_screen)

    To assemble the initial corpus of literature relevant to transcranial ultrasound stimulation research.

    Selection: TUS-related subject headings in the Web of Science core database up to 27 December 2024

  2. 2.
    Independent article screening(selection)

    To retain only articles meeting the study's predefined eligibility criteria for bibliometric analysis.

    Selection: pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria applied independently by two researchers

  3. 3.
    Bibliometric visualization(secondary_characterization)

    To visualize trends, cooperation patterns, and hotspots in the screened literature set.

    Selection: visualization of the screened literature set using CiteSpace and VOSviewer

Steps

  1. 1.
    Search Web of Science core database with TUS-related subject headings

    Identify literature relevant to transcranial ultrasound stimulation up to 27 December 2024.

    A broad search is needed before screening and visualization can be performed.

  2. 2.
    Two researchers independently screen articles using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria

    Select eligible articles for the bibliometric analysis.

    Screening follows the broad search to narrow the corpus to studies meeting predefined criteria.

  3. 3.
    Visualize the screened results with CiteSpace and VOSvieweranalysis software

    Visualize publication trends, cooperation patterns, and keyword hotspots in the screened corpus.

    Visualization is performed after screening so that patterns are computed on the final included literature set.

Taxonomy & Function

Primary hierarchy

Technique Branch

Method: A concrete measurement method used to characterize an engineered system.

Target processes

recombinationtranslation

Input: Chemical

Implementation Constraints

cofactor dependency: cofactor requirement unknownencoding mode: genetically encodedimplementation constraint: context specific validationimplementation constraint: payload burdenoperating role: sensor

terminology overlap with LIFU and tFUS remains unresolved from the provided evidence; stimulation parameters strongly affect efficacy and safety; The abstract indicates that TUS depends on technological developments that enable accurate transcranial targeting. Specific hardware, planning, or imaging requirements are not detailed in the provided text.; requires technological developments enabling transcranial targeting accuracy; requires stimulation protocols that are effective and reproducible; response may vary across patients

The provided review abstract does not clarify parameterization, targeting differences, or whether TUS is narrower or broader than LIFU.; the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; The abstract does not establish standardized effective or safe parameter settings, and it states that further multicenter clinical validation is needed.; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; requires further multicenter clinical validation; The abstract does not specify which technical or clinical weaknesses remain unresolved. It only states that strengths and weaknesses relevant to clinical translation are discussed.; the review discusses strengths and weaknesses of TUS technology, but the abstract does not specify the weaknesses; The abstract does not establish mature clinical deployment and notes broader NIBS limitations related to protocol variability and patient responsiveness.; clinical application is limited by variability in stimulation protocols; clinical application is limited by patient responsiveness

Validation

Cell-freeBacteriaMammalianMouseHumanTherapeuticIndep. Replication

Supporting Sources

Ranked Claims

Claim 1application potentialsupports2025Source 1needs review

Non-invasive brain stimulation shows potential for treating drug-resistant epilepsy.

Claim 2bibliometric countsupports2025Source 3needs review

The bibliometric analysis included 577 literatures.

included literature count 577 literatures
Claim 3capability summarysupports2025Source 2needs review

Low intensity ultrasound waves can modulate brain activity.

Claim 4clinical scope summarysupports2025Source 2needs review

The review identifies recently published psychiatric clinical proofs of concept for TUS in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

Claim 5clinical translation needsupports2025Source 3needs review

Although preclinical studies have shown promising neuromodulatory effects, transcranial ultrasound stimulation requires further multicenter clinical validation.

Claim 6combination therapy potentialsupports2025Source 1needs review

The review suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation alone or in combination with pharmacological therapy is a promising method for patients with epilepsy.

Claim 7comparative positioningsupports2025Source 2needs review

TUS provides precise, noninvasive, and reversible brain stimulation, described as a unique capability compared with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and implanted-electrode deep brain stimulation.

Claim 8comparative therapeutic potentialsupports2025Source 1needs review

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including TMS, tDCS, and TUS have emerged as promising alternatives for epilepsy management.

Claim 9limitation statementsupports2025Source 1needs review

Clinical application of non-invasive brain stimulation in epilepsy is limited by variability in stimulation protocols and patient responsiveness.

Claim 10mechanism statementsupports2025Source 1needs review

Non-invasive brain stimulation methods modulate brain activity and have fewer side effects than drug therapy.

Claim 11method usagesupports2025Source 3needs review

CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to visualize the bibliometric analysis results.

Claim 12modality descriptionsupports2025Source 3needs review

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with promising clinical potential.

Claim 13parameter sensitivitysupports2025Source 3needs review

The therapeutic efficacy and safety of transcranial ultrasound stimulation are significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Claim 14publication trendsupports2025Source 3needs review

Annual publication volume in transcranial ultrasound stimulation research increased over time and peaked in 2024.

Claim 15publication trendsupports2025Source 3needs review

Research interest in transcranial ultrasound stimulation has grown exponentially since 2013.

Claim 16research focussupports2025Source 3needs review

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is currently used primarily in neurological diseases, particularly in studies of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Claim 17technical advantagesupports2025Source 2needs review

Technological developments have enabled TUS to achieve millimetric spatial accuracy.

Claim 18translational readinesssupports2025Source 2needs review

TUS is described as technologically ready for clinical translation.

Approval Evidence

5 sources20 linked approval claimsfirst-pass slug transcranial-ultrasound-stimulation
This review categorizes neuromodulation techniques into non-genetic neuromodulation methods (including ... transcranial ultrasound stimulation ...)

Source:

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, such as ... transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), have emerged as promising alternatives.

Source:

It also reviews the technological developments that have enabled transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to achieve millimetric spatial accuracy. This allows precise, noninvasive and reversible brain stimulation.

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Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with promising clinical potential.

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The supplied web research summary states that explicit related modality/component names include transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS).

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application potentialsupports

Non-invasive brain stimulation shows potential for treating drug-resistant epilepsy.

Source:

application statementsupports

Neuromodulation techniques have shown significant advancements in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Source:

bibliometric countsupports

The bibliometric analysis included 577 literatures.

Source:

capability summarysupports

Low intensity ultrasound waves can modulate brain activity.

Source:

categorizationsupports

The review categorizes neuromodulation techniques into genetic methods and non-genetic methods.

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clinical scope summarysupports

The review identifies recently published psychiatric clinical proofs of concept for TUS in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

Source:

clinical translation needsupports

Although preclinical studies have shown promising neuromodulatory effects, transcranial ultrasound stimulation requires further multicenter clinical validation.

Source:

combination therapy potentialsupports

The review suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation alone or in combination with pharmacological therapy is a promising method for patients with epilepsy.

Source:

comparative positioningsupports

TUS provides precise, noninvasive, and reversible brain stimulation, described as a unique capability compared with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and implanted-electrode deep brain stimulation.

Source:

comparative therapeutic potentialsupports

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including TMS, tDCS, and TUS have emerged as promising alternatives for epilepsy management.

Source:

field needsupports

Fully harnessing the therapeutic potential of neuromodulation requires integration and innovation in technologies, optimization of delivery methods, improvement of mediums, and evaluation of toxicity.

Source:

limitation statementsupports

Clinical application of non-invasive brain stimulation in epilepsy is limited by variability in stimulation protocols and patient responsiveness.

Source:

mechanism statementsupports

Non-invasive brain stimulation methods modulate brain activity and have fewer side effects than drug therapy.

Source:

modality descriptionsupports

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with promising clinical potential.

Source:

parameter sensitivitysupports

The therapeutic efficacy and safety of transcranial ultrasound stimulation are significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

publication trendsupports

Annual publication volume in transcranial ultrasound stimulation research increased over time and peaked in 2024.

Source:

publication trendsupports

Research interest in transcranial ultrasound stimulation has grown exponentially since 2013.

Source:

research focussupports

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation is currently used primarily in neurological diseases, particularly in studies of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Source:

technical advantagesupports

Technological developments have enabled TUS to achieve millimetric spatial accuracy.

Source:

translational readinesssupports

TUS is described as technologically ready for clinical translation.

Source:

Comparisons

Source-stated alternatives

The supplied payload also names LIFU, tFUS, TPS, and LIPUS.; Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.; The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.; The abstract compares TUS with pharmacological treatment and with other NIBS approaches including TMS and tDCS.

Source:

The supplied payload also names LIFU, tFUS, TPS, and LIPUS.

Source:

Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.

Source:

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Source:

The abstract compares TUS with pharmacological treatment and with other NIBS approaches including TMS and tDCS.

Source-backed strengths

explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential; millimetric spatial accuracy; precise brain stimulation; noninvasive; reversible; described as technologically ready for clinical translation; described as having fewer side effects than drug therapy; presented as a promising alternative approach

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explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold

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non-invasive

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promising clinical potential

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millimetric spatial accuracy

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precise brain stimulation

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noninvasive

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reversible

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described as technologically ready for clinical translation

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described as having fewer side effects than drug therapy

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presented as a promising alternative approach

Compared with brain stimulation

Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.; The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Shared frame: source-stated alternative in extracted literature

Strengths here: explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential.

Relative tradeoffs: the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.

Source:

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Shared frame: source-stated alternative in extracted literature

Strengths here: explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential.

Relative tradeoffs: the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Compared with focused ultrasound

The supplied payload also names LIFU, tFUS, TPS, and LIPUS.

Shared frame: source-stated alternative in extracted literature

Strengths here: explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential.

Relative tradeoffs: the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

The supplied payload also names LIFU, tFUS, TPS, and LIPUS.

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.; The abstract compares TUS with pharmacological treatment and with other NIBS approaches including TMS and tDCS.

Shared frame: source-stated alternative in extracted literature

Strengths here: explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential.

Relative tradeoffs: the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Source:

The abstract compares TUS with pharmacological treatment and with other NIBS approaches including TMS and tDCS.

Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.; The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Shared frame: source-stated alternative in extracted literature

Strengths here: explicitly represented as a related modality in the supplied review scaffold; non-invasive; promising clinical potential.

Relative tradeoffs: the abstract does not specify how TUS differs from LIFU or tFUS; therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters; safety is significantly influenced by stimulation parameters.

Source:

Research hotspots in the analyzed literature include transcranial magnetic stimulation and noninvasive brain stimulation more broadly, indicating nearby alternative neuromodulation approaches.

Source:

The abstract explicitly contrasts TUS with transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes.

Ranked Citations

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