Using focused ultrasound to improve memory in patients with cognitive disorders
Official title: Focused ultrasound for memory disorders
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11036391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how focused ultrasound can help improve memory in people with cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's, ADHD, and autism, and it's being tested on monkeys first to make sure it's safe and effective before trying it on humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $667,814 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133020-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or other conditions that impair working memory.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive impairments or those not diagnosed with the specified conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) as a non-invasive method to enhance working memory in individuals affected by cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, ADHD, and autism. The approach involves stimulating specific brain areas and potentially opening the blood-brain barrier to allow targeted drug delivery. The research will be conducted on awake, behaving nonhuman primates to assess the effects of FUS on memory performance and to ensure safety before moving to human trials. Advanced MRI techniques will be utilized to understand the mechanisms behind the treatment's effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, non-addictive treatments for improving memory in patients with cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that focused ultrasound can improve behavioral performance in nonhuman primates, indicating potential for success in similar applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferrera, Vincent P — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ferrera, Vincent P
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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.