Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound ameliorates depression-like behaviors in a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

There is an unmet need for better nonpharmaceutical treatments for depression. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a novel type of neuromodulation that could be helpful for depressed patients.

Objective

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and potential mechanisms of LIPUS in the treatment of depression.

Methods

Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was used to generate rats with depression-like features that were treated with four weeks of LIPUS stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Depression-like behaviors were assessed with the sucrose preference, forced swim, and open field tests. BDNF/mTORC1 signaling was examined by Western blot to investigate this potential molecular mechanism. The safety of LIPUS was evaluate

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7816209 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature