Modeling ultrasound modulation of neural function in a single cell.

Background: Low intensity ultrasound stimulation has been shown to non-invasively modulate neural function in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) with high precision. Ultrasound sonication is capable of either excitation or inhibition, depending on the ultrasound parameters used. On the other hand, the mode of interaction of ultrasonic waves with the neural tissue for effective neuromodulation remains ambiguous. New method: Here within we propose a numerical model that incorporates the mechanical effects of ultrasound stimulation on the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neuron by incorporating the relation between increased external pressure and the membrane induced tension, with a stress on the flexoelectric effect on the neural membrane. The external pressure causes an increase in the total tension of the membrane thus affecting the probability of the ion channels being open after the conformational changes that those channels undergo. Results: The interplay between varying the acoustic intensities and frequencies depicts different action potential suppression rates, whereby a combination of low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication proved to be the most effective in modulating neural function. Conclusions: This simulation work confirms the published experimental data that low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication has a higher success rate of modulating neural firing.