Abstract
BackgroundTranscranial ultrasonic stimulation is a novel noninvasive tool for neuromodulation, and has high spatial resolution and deep penetration. Although it can increase excitation of neurons, its effects on neuron are poorly understood. This study was to evaluate effect of ultrasonic stimulation (US) on neurons in vitro. In this paper, the effect of US on the excitability and voltage-dependent K^{ + } currents of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampus was studied using patch clamp.ResultsOur results suggest that US increased the spontaneous firing rate and inhibited transient outward potassium current ( varvec{I}_{varvec{A}} ) and delayed rectifier potassium current ( varvec{I}_{varvec{K}} ) . Furthermore, US altered the activation of varvec{I}_{varvec{K}} channels, inactivation and recovery properties of varvec{I}_{varvec{A}} channels. After US, the varvec{I}_{varvec{K}} activation curves significantly moved to the negative voltage direction and increased its slope factor. Moreover, the data showed that US moved the inactivation curve of varvec{I}_{varvec{A}} to the negative voltage and increased the slope factor. Besides, US delayed the recovery of varvec{I}_{varvec{A}} channel.ConclusionsOur data indicate that US can increase excitation of neurons by inhibiting potassium currents. Different US decreased the voltage sensitivity of varvec{I}_{varvec{K}} activation differentially. Moreover, the more time is needed for US to make the varvec{I}_{varvec{A}} channels open again after inactivating. US may play a physiological role by inhibiting voltage-dependent potassium currents in neuromodulation. Our research can provide a theoretical basis for the future clinical application of ultrasound in neuromodulation.
Highlights
Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation is a novel noninvasive tool for neuromodulation, and has high spatial resolution and deep penetration
The spontaneous action potentials were recorded without current injection for 6 s in the current-clamp mode (Fig. 2)
For the recording of potassium currents, the membrane was maintained at a voltage of − 80 mV, and a 90 ms voltage pulse from − 50 to + 100 mV was applied in increase of 10 mV
Summary
Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation is a novel noninvasive tool for neuromodulation, and has high spatial resolution and deep penetration. It can increase excitation of neurons, its effects on neuron are poorly understood. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) requires no surgery and has high spatial resolution and deep penetration [7,8,9,10]. Tyler et al determined low intensity and low frequency ultrasound (LILFU) can exciting neurons and network activity remotely and noninvasively. Their results indicate that LILFU can activate voltage-dependent Na+ channels and C a2+ channels to induce neuronal activity [11]. Nicolas Wattiez et al demonstrated that the neuromodulation effect of TUS on conscious behavioral monkeys can be assessed by real-time recording of discharge activity in brain regions connected to the
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