Elucidating the biophysical mechanisms of ultrasonic neuromodulation

Ultrasonic neuromodulation is a promising technology in the field of basic and translational neuroscience because it can control neural activity within the skull without invasive surgery. In particular, low frequency ultrasound has been widely reported to elicit neural excitation and behavior in a number of animal models and humans. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ultrasonic neuromodulation are not yet elucidated, impeding their use in neuroscience and potential clinical translation. To bridge this gap, we investigated the mechanisms of ultrasonic neuromodulation at the levels of single cells and intact organisms.