Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38895168›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in human neuroscience2024

Transcranial focused ultrasound to the posterior cingulate cortex modulates default mode network and subjective experience: an fMRI pilot study.

Brian Lord, Joseph L Sanguinetti, Lisannette Ruiz, Vladimir Miskovic, Joel Segre, Shinzen Young, Maria E Fini, John J B Allen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in human neuroscience, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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  4. Illuminating consciousness.Frontiers in psychology · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Brian LordSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
Joseph L SanguinettiSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
Lisannette RuizSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
Vladimir MiskovicX, the Moonshot Factory, Mountain View, CA, United States.
Joel SegreX, the Moonshot Factory, Mountain View, CA, United States.
Shinzen YoungSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
Maria E FiniSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
John J B AllenSEMA Lab, Psychology Department, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Transcranial focused ultrasound (TFUS) is an emerging neuromodulation tool for temporarily altering brain activity and probing network functioning. The effects of TFUS on the default mode network (DMN) are unknown. Objective: The study examined the effects of transcranial focused ultrasound (TFUS) on the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN), specifically by targeting the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Additionally, we investigated the subjective effects of TFUS on mood, mindfulness, and self-related processing. Methods: The study employed a randomized, single-blind design involving 30 healthy subjects. Participants were randomly assigned to either the active TFUS group or the sham TFUS group. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were conducted before and after the TFUS application. To measure subjective effects, the Toronto Mindfulness Scale, the Visual Analog Mood Scale, and the Amsterdam Resting State Questionnaire were administered at baseline and 30 min after sonication. The Self Scale and an unstructured interview were also administered 30 min after sonication. Results: The active TFUS group exhibited significant reductions in functional connectivity along the midline of the DMN, while the sham TFUS group showed no changes. The active TFUS group demonstrated increased state mindfulness, reduced Global Vigor, and temporary alterations in the sense of ego, sense of time, and recollection of memories. The sham TFUS group showed an increase in state mindfulness, too, with no other subjective effects. Conclusions: TFUS targeted at the PCC can alter DMN connectivity and cause changes in subjective experience. These findings support the potential of TFUS to serve both as a research tool and as a potential therapeutic intervention.

Indexed as

default mode networkfMRImindfulnessneuromodulationnon-invasive brain stimulationtranscranial focused ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID38895168
PMCPMC11184145

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.