Targeted repair of neural pathways with focused ultrasonic waves

聚焦超声波靶向修复神经通路

• 批准号: 2325125
• 负责人: Jan Kubanek
• 金额: $ 51.23万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-12-15 至 2026-11-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2325125&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Targeted; repair; neural; pathways; focused

Weak or damaged neural pathways have been associated with many disabling neurological and mental conditions, including stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, and mental disorders such as depression. This project, led by researchers at the University of Utah, will use focused ultrasound, delivered through the cranium, for effective neurorehabilitation. The system and approach will enable operators to modulate the connection between any two regions of the human brain, and thus repair neural pathways that have been damaged or weakened. To maximize the impact of the therapies, the team will use seminars and demonstrations to engage human populations in Utah that have traditionally had limited access to cutting-edge neurological treatments. The feedback gathered from these groups will inform the design of the final therapeutic tools, optimizing the usability of the system for all persons regardless of socioeconomic status. There is currently no tool that would enable the noninvasive repair of neural networks in a targeted manner. Transcranial, focused ultrasound has the potential to provide such a tool, but there is no system and no approach for the modulation of neural connectivity. The project team, which consists of an engineer, a psychiatrist, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scientist, has designed a prototype device that can deliver effective and safe levels of neuromodulatory ultrasound into deep brain targets in humans. This project will develop the prototype into a system that can stimulate two nodes of a neural network simultaneously (Aim 1), thus promoting Hebbian plasticity under an appropriate stimulation-timing protocol (Aim 2). The team will apply this dual stimulation protocol to two key nodes within the cingulate cortex in humans, and quantify the resulting changes in connectivity using functional MRI (fMRI) blood-oxygenation-level-dependent activity (BOLD) and diffusion tractography. Successful completion of the project will result in a tool for the noninvasive repair of neural circuits with the potential to enable many affected individuals to return to work and normal life.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

弱或受损的神经途径与许多致残的神经系统和精神状况有关，包括中风，神经退行性疾病以及抑郁症等精神障碍。由犹他大学的研究人员领导的该项目将使用通过颅骨进行的重点超声检查，以进行有效的神经康复。该系统和方法将使操作员能够调节人脑的任何两个区域之间的联系，从而修复已损坏或削弱的神经途径。为了最大程度地提高疗法的影响，该团队将使用研讨会和示威活动来吸引犹他州的人口，而犹他州传统上获得了尖端神经治疗的机会。从这些小组那里收集的反馈将为最终治疗工具的设计提供信息，从而优化系统对所有人员的可用性，而不论社会经济地位如何。 当前没有工具可以以目标方式对神经网络进行无创修复。经颅，集中的超声有可能提供这种工具，但是没有系统，也没有调节神经连通性的方法。该项目团队由工程师，精神科医生和磁共振成像（MRI）科学家组成，它设计了一种原型设备，可以将有效且安全的神经调节性超声输送到人类深层大脑目标中。该项目将将原型开发到一个可以同时刺激神经网络的节点的系统中（AIM 1），从而在适当的刺激定时协议下促进Hebbian可塑性（AIM 2）。该团队将将这种双重刺激方案应用于人类扣带皮质内的两个关键节点，并使用功能性MRI（fMRI）血氧级依赖性活性（BOLD）和扩散片段量化了所得连接性的变化。该项目的成功完成将为无创修复神经回路的工具，有可能使许多受影响的人能够重返工作岗位和正常生活。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准来评估值得通过评估的。