Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41316352›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2025

Neuromodulation effects of low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound in human, a systematic review focusing on motor and sensory functions.

Heng-Chen Ho, Wen-Shiang Chen, Ming-Yen Hsiao

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing 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

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
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

3 authors.

Heng-Chen HoDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
Wen-Shiang ChenDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
Ming-Yen HsiaoDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. myhsiao@ntu.edu.tw.

Funding

National Science and Technology Council 110-2314-B-002-065National Science and Technology Council 112-2314-B-002-137-MY3National Science and Technology Council NSTC 113-2321-B-002-033
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLow-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has emerged as a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique with therapeutic potential for various neurological conditions. However, its parameter-dependent bimodal neuromodulatory effects remain to be fully elucidated.

objectiveThis study aims to review the evidence on tFUS-induced neuromodulation in humans, particularly its effects on motor and sensory functions, to identify specific stimulation parameters associated with excitatory and inhibitory outcomes, thereby informing future clinical applications.

methodsA systematic review was conducted using Web of Science and PubMed, including primary interventional human studies on tFUS and neuromodulation published up to December 2024. Eligible studies comprised single-arm trials, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized controlled trials focusing on excitatory and inhibitory effects and specific ultrasound parameters.

resultsThe findings summarize the current evidence on tFUS-induced neuromodulation of motor and sensory functions. Both excitatory and inhibitory effects were observed, particularly in the primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, thalamus, insula, and dorsal cingulate gyrus. These effects appear to be modifiable through specific stimulation parameters.

conclusionstFUS demonstrates both online/ offline excitatory/ inhibitory effects on sensory and motor brain regions under specific stimulation conditions. It holds promise as a potential therapeutic strategy for managing motor and sensory dysfunctions, such as stroke and chronic pain. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation.

Indexed as

BrainUltrasonic TherapyHumansMotor CortexMotor functionNeuromodulationNon-invasive brain stimulationSensory functionTranscranial focused ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID41316352
PMCPMC12664190

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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 Socratic graph.