Using Ultrasound to Control Brain Cell Signals
Official title: Ultrasonic modulation of cellular electrical signaling
Funded at Rowan University · NIH-11124623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how sound waves can gently adjust the activity of brain cells, which could lead to new ways to treat brain conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $241,530 |
| NIH project number | 5R00NS125102-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not involve direct patient participation but aims to develop future therapies for individuals with neurological disorders that could benefit from targeted brain modulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are not related to cellular electrical signaling or brain activity may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how ultrasound, a type of sound energy, can change the way brain cells communicate. This method uses sound to influence special channels on cells, offering a non-invasive way to target specific areas deep within the body, including the brain. The goal is to uncover the exact molecular details of how ultrasound affects these cells and to develop new tools that make this process more precise and effective. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to create better ways to control cell activity for therapeutic purposes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, non-invasive treatments for neurological conditions by precisely controlling brain cell activity using sound waves.
How similar studies have gone: While transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation has received FDA approval for some applications, this project focuses on understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms and developing novel tools, which is a relatively new and less explored area.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University
Glassboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sorum, Ben — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Sorum, Ben
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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.