Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39230530›Full record

ReviewNeuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society2025

A Comprehensive Review of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Parameters and Applications in Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders.

Stewart S Cox, Dillon J Connolly, Xiaolong Peng, Bashar W Badran

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
26citing papers in PubMed, 2 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

26 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  13. Advances in the Clinical Application of Neurostimulation in Major Depression.Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2026
    Review
  14. Modulating a Massive Set of Biomolecular Structures by Sono-Mechanical Force.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
    Article
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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

4 authors.

Stewart S CoxDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. Electronic address: coxstew@musc.edu.
Dillon J ConnollyDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Xiaolong PengDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Bashar W BadranDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuro-X Lab, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Funding

COCA: Project 4. Neurocircuit Strategy to Decrease Cocaine Cue ReactivityP50DA046373 · NIDA · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · PI HANLON, COLLEEN A · 2019 to 2023
$9.9M
Understanding the Mechanistic, Neurophysiological, and Antinociceptive Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation for Treatment of Chronic PainRM1NS128787 · NINDS · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON · PI Jeffrey J Borckardt, Kathryn A. Cunningham · 2022 to 2026
$8.9M
NIDA NIH HHS P50 DA046373NINDS NIH HHS RM1 NS128787
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesLow-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is gaining increased interest as a potential therapeutic modality for a range of neuropsychiatric diseases. Current neuromodulation modalities often require a choice between high spatial fidelity or invasiveness. LIFU is unique in this regard because it provides high spatial acuity of both superficial and deep neural structures while remaining noninvasive. This new form of noninvasive brain stimulation may provide exciting potential treatment options for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders involving aberrant neurocircuitry within deep brain structures, including pain and substance use disorders. Furthermore, LIFU is compatible with noninvasive neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, making it a useful tool for more precise clinical neuroscience research to further understand the central nervous system. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this study, we provide a review of the most recent LIFU literature covering three key domains: 1) the history of focused ultrasound technology, comparing it with other forms of neuromodulation, 2) the parameters and most up-to-date proposed mechanisms of LIFU, and finally, 3) a consolidation of the current literature to date surrounding the clinical research that has used LIFU for the modification or amelioration of several neuropsychiatric conditions.

resultsThe impact of LIFU including poststroke motor changes, pain, mood disorders, disorders of consciousness, dementia, and substance abuse is discussed.

conclusionsAlthough still in its infancy, LIFU is a promising tool that has the potential to change the way we approach and treat neuropsychiatric disorders. In this quickly evolving field, this review serves as a snapshot of the current understanding of LIFU in neuropsychiatric research.

Indexed as

Mental DisordersNervous System DiseasesHumansUltrasonic TherapyDementiadepressionlow-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU)neuromodulationneuropsychiatric disorders

Identifiers

PMID39230530
PMCPMC11700779

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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.