Here is the paper about using ultrasound to modify neuron firing (thankstherapeutic neuromodulation for the tip).
Possessing the ability to noninvasively elicit brain circuit activity yields immense experimental and therapeutic power. Most currently employed neurostimulation methods rely on the somewhat invasive use of stimulating electrodes or photon-emitting devices. Due to its ability to noninvasively propagate through bone and other tissues in a focused manner, the implementation of ultrasound (US) represents a compelling alternative approach to current neuromodulation strategies. Here, we investigated the influence of low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound (LILFU) on neuronal activity. By transmitting US waveforms through hippocampal slice cultures and ex vivo mouse brains, we determined LILFU is capable of remotely and noninvasively exciting neurons and network activity.
2 comments:
They don't know if it can penetrate the skull, they just assume.
Well, I didn't read the paper, I read someone's comments about it.
But reflecting on this:
http://www.biomarkerbts.com/articles/07/aug8/editorial/Ex_Vivo_Metrics.asp
...I'm sure they can get through the skull, but they don't know how precisely they can effect the brain taking into account stuff that was mentioned in the first paragraph, like refracting.
Wow. I'll try to ask around how hard it would be build one. I would think it would be easier than TMS although the problem would be lack of safety studies...
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