A pioneering system, developed through a joint effort by ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and NYU, is set to revolutionize neurological treatments. This innovative technology, detailed in a publication from July 2025, enables the precise, non-invasive activation of multiple brain regions simultaneously using holographic transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS). This breakthrough offers a novel approach for addressing neurological and psychiatric disorders by precisely modulating neural circuits without the need for surgical intervention.
The holographic TUS system features a helmet-like array equipped with 512 ultrasound emitters. These emitters are designed to focus sound waves into intricate patterns, guiding them through the skull to activate specific neurons. This advanced method not only enhances precision but also reduces the intensity of ultrasound required, potentially minimizing side effects. The research, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, provides the first visual evidence of ultrasound patterns activating brain circuits in living animals. This advancement holds significant promise for the development of novel, non-invasive therapies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, depression, and epilepsy.
This significant stride in non-invasive neuromodulation was made possible through funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), including support from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The NIH's BRAIN Initiative has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships to advance neuroscience research and explore applications for various neurological conditions. The research team is actively pursuing the clinical applications of this groundbreaking technology, aligning with broader trends in bioelectronic medicine that increasingly favor non-invasive approaches.
Techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and focused ultrasound are at the forefront of this shift, offering adaptive stimulation and reducing the need for surgery. The ability to precisely target multiple brain regions simultaneously, as demonstrated by this holographic ultrasound system, represents a critical advancement in making therapies more accessible and efficient. The system allows for the simultaneous stimulation of three to five precisely defined points in the brain. The potential applications of this technology are vast, offering hope for conditions that have historically been challenging to treat non-invasively.