Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42274443›Full record

ArticleNeuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society2026

Ethical Considerations in Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Disorders of Consciousness.

Ally Sterling, Jason Lew, Martin M Monti, Caroline Schnakers, Matteo Fecchio, Bastien Guerin, Jian Li, David R Schreier, Brian L Edlow, Michael J Young

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Ally SterlingCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Jason LewDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Martin M MontiDepartment of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Caroline SchnakersResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona, CA, USA.
Matteo FecchioCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Bastien GuerinAthinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
Jian LiCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
David R SchreierCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Massachusetts General Hospital Brain Arousal State Control Innovation Center (BASCIC)‒Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Brian L EdlowCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
Michael J YoungCenter for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: Michael.Young@mgh.harvard.edu.

Funding

Promoting Recovery from Brain Injury with Non-Invasive Thalamic UltrasoundK23NS140495 · NINDS · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI Michael J Young · 2025 to 2026
$469k
An Ethical Approach to Detecting Covert ConsciousnessF32MH123001 · NIMH · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI YOUNG, MICHAEL J · 2020 to 2022
$159k
NIMH NIH HHS F32 MH123001NINDS NIH HHS K23 NS140495
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTranscranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS), also known as low-intensity focused ultrasound pulsation, may noninvasively modulate key brain networks subserving consciousness and carries promise as a novel interventional tool to stimulate recovery of consciousness in individuals with disorders of consciousness (DoC) after severe brain injury. However, the novelty of this approach and its attendant effects raise underexplored ethical considerations warranting explicit attention to ensure responsible development and deployment in clinical research and practice. Our objectives here are to develop an ethical framework for responsible translation of this emerging neurotechnology. MATERIALS AND

methodsTo identify and critically evaluate the responsible use of tFUS to promote recovery of consciousness in individuals with DoC, we evaluate ethical considerations through the lens of the principles of biomedical ethics, coupled with thematic, normative, and philosophical analysis. We describe safeguards for innovation and clinical translation in this domain.

resultsSpecific ethical domains evaluated include respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, enrollment considerations, and fair study access, which synergistically inform an ethical framework for stakeholders involved in pioneering and early use of tFUS.

conclusionsTo provide support for clinicians and investigators navigating complex decision-making at the nexus of neurotechnology and neuroethics, we propose a practical checklist for ethical implementation and evaluation of tFUS studies for patients with DoC.

Indexed as

Bioethicsbrain injuryneuroethicsneuromodulationtranscranial focused ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID42274443
PMCPMC13260938

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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.