Biophysical and Neural Basis of Focused Ultrasound Stimulation
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11408424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how noninvasive focused ultrasound can modulate brain activity at the cellular, circuit, and behavioral levels to potentially improve brain-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $824,807 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126144-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with brain disorders that might benefit from noninvasive neuromodulation, such as movement disorders or certain cognitive/behavioral conditions, could be future candidates for related therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Not all brain conditions may respond to this modality, and some individuals may experience limited or no neuromodulatory effects.
What this research studies
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are exploring how focused ultrasound can noninvasively influence brain cells and networks. Using MRI guidance and advanced imaging, they will examine how different ultrasound doses and timing affect neural signals and behavior in animal models, with plans to translate findings to human brain studies. The work looks at excitation and suppression patterns in specific brain regions and how these effects spread through neural networks. This research aims to uncover core mechanisms so focused ultrasound can be used safely and effectively in future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pave the way for precisely targeted, noninvasive brain therapies that modulate faulty neural circuits in people with neurological or psychiatric conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior nonhuman-primate studies show bidirectional and state-dependent neuromodulation with focused ultrasound, supporting the translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caskey, Charles F — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Caskey, Charles F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.