2025/05/30 by Kathryn C. Jenkins, Katherine Koning, Arman Mehzad +6 · 1 voice
Engineering · Computer Science · Neuroscience · #Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications #Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts #Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fnimg.2025.1580623
openalex publication_date 2025/05/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Introduction: Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is a form of neuromodulation that offers increased depth of penetrance and improved spatial resolution over other non-invasive techniques, allowing for modulation of otherwise inaccessible subcortical structures that are implicated in neuropsychiatric pathologies. The amygdala is a target of great interest due to its involvement in numerous psychiatric conditions. While prior works have found that LIFU sonication of the amygdala can alter resting-state neural activation, only a few studies have investigated whether LIFU can selectively modulate the amygdala during task-based fMRI. Methods: We aimed to address these gaps in literature in a cohort of 10 healthy individuals. We utilized the well-validated Emotional Face Assessment Task (EFAT), which is designed to robustly engage the amygdala. We selected the fusiform gyrus and the thalamus as our non-target regional comparison measures due to their roles in facial and emotional processing. In succession, participants completed a pre-LIFU baseline fMRI, received 10-min of LIFU neuromodulation, and then repeated the baseline fMRI. To test our hypothesis, we conducted paired-samples t-tests assessing changes in amygdala, fusiform gyrus, and thalamic activation from pre to post scan. Results: = 0.026) amygdala activation from pre-to-post sonication. Discussion: Meanwhile, there were no differences in activation of the left or right fusiform gyrus or thalamus. Our results indicate that LIFU of the amygdala acutely dampens amygdala reactivity during active socio-emotional processing.