Dose-Dependent Brain Wire Modulation with Light Ultrasound in Deep White Matter
Official title: Dose-Dependent Functional Connectivity Effects of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Applied to Deep White Matter Tracts in Humans
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11596522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small early study tests whether gentle, noninvasive ultrasound can change how deep brain white matter tracts work in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $80,567 |
| NIH project number | 7R21MH138911-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Healthy adults aged 21 and older who meet standard safety criteria for brain imaging and noninvasive neuromodulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with certain medical implants, pregnancy, or contraindications to MRI or ultrasound exposure may not benefit or participate.
What this research studies
This project uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to target white matter tracts that connect deep brain regions, aiming to understand how different doses affect brain communication. The study will enroll 60 healthy adults and randomly give two different ultrasound dose levels to tracts linking the thalamus with the subgenual cingulate and orbitofrontal areas. Researchers will measure changes in brain activity and connectivity, using imaging techniques to track responses over time. The goal is to map dose–response relationships so future work can explore potential links to behavior and mood regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide safe, noninvasive ways to modulate brain circuits affected in certain conditions and inform future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary human studies have shown that focused ultrasound can modulate deep brain circuitry, with growing evidence of dose-related effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guinjoan, Salvador Martin — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Guinjoan, Salvador Martin
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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.