Effective ultrasound brain stimulation in awake primates
Official title: Effective Ultrasound Neuromodulation in the Awake Primate Brain
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11418909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in awake primates tests precisely controlled ultrasound to modulate brain activity non-invasively, aiming to improve possible future treatments for Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY036652-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418909 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who may benefit from future non-invasive neuromodulation therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This study involves animals and does not enroll patients; direct patient benefit is not immediate.
What this research studies
This project uses a nonhuman primate model to measure how real-time ultrasound changes brain activity after stimulation. Researchers will adjust ultrasound parameters to understand how amplitude, duration, duty cycle, and pulse repetition affect neural responses. The goal is to develop clinic-ready protocols that can either excite or inhibit targeted brain regions. The work combines a remote ultrasound system with advanced neural monitoring to map effects and optimize treatment settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to safer, non-invasive therapies for Alzheimer’s-related brain circuits and other neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and early human studies show that ultrasound can modulate brain activity, but precise parameter-to-response mapping is still being established.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webb, Taylor D — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Webb, Taylor D
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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.