Focused ultrasound excites cortical neurons via mechanosensitive calcium accumulation and ion channel amplification.

ABSTRACT: Ultrasonic neuromodulation has the unique potential to provide non-invasive control of neural activity in deep brain regions with high spatial precision and without chemical or genetic modification. However, the biomolecular and cellular mechanisms by which focused ultrasound excites mammalian neurons have remained unclear, posing significant challenges for the use of this technology in research and potential clinical applications. Here, we show that focused ultrasound excites primary murine cortical neurons in culture through a primarily mechanical mechanism mediated by specific calcium-selective mechanosensitive ion channels. The activation of these channels results in a gradual build-up of calcium, which is amplified by calcium- and voltage-gated channels, generating a burst firing resp

SUBMITTER: Yoo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8789820 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature