Focused ultrasound suppresses pentylenetetrazol-induced epileptiform activity in rats and alters connectivity measured by functional MRI
Journal
Scientific Reports
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
Date Issued
2025-08-12
Author(s)
Chu, Po-Chun
Ruan, Wei-Hong
Huang, Chen-Syuan
Juan, Yi-Jing
Yu, Hsiang-Yu
Fisher, Robert S.
Abstract
with low (30s-on-90s-off)/high (90s-on-30s-off) doses with 10-minute sonication durations to the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT), resulting in approximately 36% reduction in hippocampal spike activity. Rs-fMRI analysis (36 × 36 connectivity matrix) revealed that the PTZ-induced seizure reduction strongly correlates with significant whole-brain connectivity changes, including a 45.1% decrease in connectivity between the anterior thalamic and hippocampal networks. Histological analysis confirmed that FUS preferentially modulates key brain regions involved in epileptic circuits, particularly the thalamus and hippocampus. These findings provide compelling evidence that FUS selectively alters seizure-related functional networks, highlighting its potential as a noninvasive therapeutic approach for epilepsy.
SDGs
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article