The field of neurology is in a state of constant evolution, and a recent breakthrough at Washington University in St. Louis has the potential to have a major impact on the treatment of brain diseases such as Parkinson’s. A team of researchers has developed a cutting-edge technology that enables precise and flexible modulation of the brain, potentially revolutionizing the way neurological disorders are addressed.
The newly developed technology, known as AhSonogenetics, is a noninvasive method that combines a holographic acoustic device with genetic engineering to target affected neurons in the brain with incredible precision. This approach has the potential to modulate specific cell types in multiple diseased brain regions simultaneously.
Dr. Hong Chen, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering and of neurosurgery at the School of Medicine, has been leading the team responsible for this groundbreaking development. Their innovative technique uses a noninvasive wearable ultrasound device to alter genetically selected neurons in the brains of mice. The results of their study were published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on June 17.
AhSonogenetics is the culmination of several advancements made by Dr. Chen’s group. They previously introduced Sonogenetics, a method that uses focused ultrasound to deliver a viral construct containing ultrasound-sensitive ion channels to genetically selected neurons in the brain. Building on this, they have now developed Sonogenetics 2.0, which combines the advantages of ultrasound and genetic engineering to modulate defined neurons precisely in both human and animal brains.
The technology developed by Dr. Chen and her team holds tremendous promise for making targeted interventions in neurodegenerative diseases. According to Dr. Chen, “By enabling precise and flexible cell-type-specific neuromodulation without invasive procedures, AhSonogenetics provides a powerful tool for investigating intact neural circuits and offers promising interventions for neurological disorders.”
One of the key advantages of AhSonogenetics is the ability to precisely control the brain, thanks to the airy-beam technology, which allows researchers to generate arbitrary beam patterns inside the brain with high spatial resolution. The capability to target smaller regions, steer to specific brain regions, and target multiple brain regions simultaneously makes this a truly groundbreaking development.
The researchers tested AhSonogenetics on a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, where they were able to simultaneously stimulate two brain regions in a single mouse without the need for multiple implants or interventions. This resulted in a significant improvement in Parkinson’s-related motor deficits, demonstrating the potential practical applications of this technology in addressing neurological disorders.
Moreover, the affordability and ease of fabrication of the device lower the barriers to its widespread adoption by the research community for neuromodulation applications. The design file for the Airy-beam holographic transducer used in the technology is even available on GitHub, further promoting collaboration and advancement in the field.
This groundbreaking research was made possible with the support of funding from the National Institutes of Health, highlighting the significance of this work at a national level.
The development of AhSonogenetics represents a significant step forward in the field of neurology, with the potential to transform treatment strategies for a wide range of brain diseases. The innovative combination of genetic engineering and holographic acoustic devices opens up new possibilities for precise and noninvasive interventions in the human brain, offering hope for patients and professionals alike.