Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41698912›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation enhances semantic memory by modulating brain morphology, neurochemistry and neural dynamics.

JeYoung Jung, Cyril Atkinson-Clement, Marcus Kaiser, Matthew A Lambon Ralph

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
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.

JeYoung JungSchool of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. jeyoung.jung@nottingham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3739-7331
Cyril Atkinson-ClementSchool of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9499-3485
Marcus KaiserCentre For Neurotechnology, Neuromodulation and Neurotherapeutics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4654-3110
Matthew A Lambon RalphMRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5907-2488

Funding

Academy of Medical Sciences SBF007\100077RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) EP/W004488/1RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) EP/W035057/1RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) EP/X01925X/1RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) NEUROMOD+RCUK | MRC | Medical Research Foundation MC_UU_00030/9
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The ventromedial anterior temporal lobe (ATL) is a core transmodal hub for semantic memory, yet non-invasive modulation of this region has remained challenging. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) offers high spatial precision suitable for deep brain targets. In this study, we investigated whether theta-burst TUS (tbTUS) to the ventromedial ATL enhances semantic memory, using a multimodal neuroimaging approach-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), functional MRI (fMRI), and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Compared to control stimulation, tbTUS improved semantic task performance. MRS showed decreased GABA and increased Glx, reflecting shifts in excitation-inhibition balance, alongside increases in NAA, creatine and choline, suggesting enhanced neuronal metabolism. fMRI demonstrated reduced ATL activity during semantic processing and strengthened effective connectivity across the semantic network. VBM revealed increased ATL grey matter volume. These findings provide convergent evidence that tbTUS modulates neurochemistry, functional dynamics, and brain morphology to enhance semantic memory, highlighting its neurorehabilitation potential.

Indexed as

BrainMemoryTemporal LobeAdultCholineCognitive EnhancementFemalegamma-Aminobutyric AcidHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMagnetic Resonance SpectroscopyMaleSemanticsYoung AdultCholinegamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Identifiers

PMID41698912
PMCPMC13022233

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.