Ultrasound‐Induced Synchronized Neural Activities at 40 Hz and 200 Hz Entrained Corresponded Oscillations and Improve Alzheimer's Disease Memory
Jiamin Chen, Xingran Wang, Xin Li, Xiaoli Li, Yiyao Zhang, Yi Yuan
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics 2025 · 10.1111/cns.70351
Abstract
Aims Neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) with cognitive deficits show impaired theta, gamma, and ripple bands. Restoring these oscillations may be crucial for rescuing cognitive functions. Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), a noninvasive neuromodulation method, offers high spatial resolution and deep penetration. However, it remains unclear how 40 Hz and 200 Hz TUS may improve memory in AD by regulating hippocampal oscillations. Methods We applied 40 Hz and 200 Hz TUS to the CA1 region of AD mice, performing memory assessments and CA1 electrophysiology recordings simultaneously. Results Our results showed that both 40 Hz and 200 Hz TUS significantly improved memory performance in AD mice by targeting the dorsal hippocampus and increasing power in corresponding frequency bands. Specifically, 40 Hz TUS enhanced gamma and ripple bands, while 200 Hz TUS strongly affected both. This enhancement increased during stimulation and persisted 5 days poststimulation. Improved coupling between theta and gamma oscillations indicated better hippocampal coordination with other brain regions. Additionally, 40 Hz TUS raised sharp wave ripple (SPW-Rs) incidence, and 200 Hz TUS increased both SPW-R incidence and duration, contributing to memory improvement. Behavioral performance significantly improved with TUS at both frequencies. Conclusion Ultrasound-induced synchronized neural activities at 40 Hz and 200 Hz entrained corresponding oscillations and improved memory in Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract via europepmc.
Exposures
Exposure 1: TUS1 (40 Hz PRF) and TUS2 (200 Hz PRF) to CA1
Target: CA1 — “CA1 region”
Device: Olympus / Panametrics · Olympus · V302-SU ✓
| Waveform | pulsed | |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental frequency (kHz) | 1,000 | ✓✓✓ |
| Pulse duration (ms) | not reported | ⚑ |
| Pulse repetition frequency (Hz) | 40, 200swept | ✓✓✓ |
| Duty cycle (%) | 5 | ✓✓✓ |
| Sonication duration (s) | 10 | ✓✓✓⚑ |
| Free-field pressure (kPa) | not reported | |
|---|---|---|
| Free-field Isppa (W/cm²) | not reported | |
| Free-field Ispta (W/cm²) | not reported | |
| In-situ estimate | not reported | |
| In-situ pressure (kPa) | not reported | |
| In-situ Isppa (W/cm²) | not reported | |
| In-situ Ispta (W/cm²) | not reported | |
| Pressure, domain unspecified (kPa) | 360 | ✓✓✓⚑ |
| Isppa, domain unspecified (W/cm²) | 4.3 | ✓✓✓ |
| Ispta, domain unspecified (W/cm²) | 0.217 | ✓✓✓⚑ |
TUS1: 1 MHz, SD 10 s, PRF 40 Hz, DC 5%; TUS2: same with PRF 200 Hz. Total TUS time 1 h per day for 6 days, delivered to awake mice.
Flags from extraction
n_subjects— Group sizes only: AD+TUS1 n=6 and AD+TUS2 n=6 in each of two experiments (behaviour; behaviour plus LFP); statistics cite n = 12. Total exposed not stated.exposures[0].unspecified_domain.pressure_kpa— 0.36 MPa 'sound pressure', domain not stated; converted to kPa.exposures[0].unspecified_domain.ispta_w_cm2— 217.2 mW/cm2 converted to W/cm2.exposures[0].timing.sonication_duration_s— 'SD = 10 s' interpreted as sonication duration; total TUS time 1 h.exposures[0].timing.pulse_duration_ms— Not stated; duty cycle and PRF given.sham_type— Untreated AD group serves as comparison; no sham sonication described.auditory_control— A separate experiment with other waveforms (Figure S10) addressed auditory confounds.