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Structural-Functional Brain Network Modulation using Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation: Implications on the Default Mode Network in Humans

Chang-hyun Park, Song E. Kim, Y. Choi, Jihye Lee, S. Lee, Junoh Kang, Seong-Ju Hwang, Young Goo Kim, Hyang Woon Lee

Neuroimage October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121540 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 21
Population Healthy participants
Intervention Sham tFUS
Measures Diffusion-weighted MRI, Resting-state functional MRI
Topics Default mode network
Key findings Both excitatory and suppressive tFUS targeting the medial prefrontal cortex increased structure-function coupling near the stimulation site. A significant enhancement in structure-function correspondence within the default mode network connected to the stimulation site was observed specifically under excitatory stimulation, not suppressive or sham. The authors conclude that specific tFUS protocols may effectively modulate the default mode network.

Abstract

Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has emerged as a promising noninvasive technique for brain stimulation due to its precise focusing and deep penetration capabilities. However, its potential to modulate brain networks beyond the stimulation site and optimal sonication parameters required for such modulation remain unclear. In light of this knowledge gap, this study investigates the effects of tFUS targeted at the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a key component of the default mode network (DMN), to determine whether varying the sonication parameters could specifically modulate the DMN. Specifically, in this study, 21 healthy participants were divided into groups that received excitatory, suppressive, or sham tFUS stimulation targeting the mPFC. To assess the effects, diffusion-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI were employed to assess the correspondence between structural and functional brain connectomes before and after tFUS. Subsequently, changes following tFUS were compared among the three groups. Our results showed that while tFUS generally increased coupling between structure and function near the stimulation site after both excitatory and suppressive stimulation, a significant enhancement in structure-function correspondence was specifically observed within the DMN connected to the stimulation site under excitatory stimulation. Based on these observations, the findings highlight the potential of specific tFUS protocols to effectively modulate the DMN, thereby offering insights into optimizing tFUS for brain network modulation and its potential as a non-invasive therapeutic intervention.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on default mode network, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Healthy volunteers 2012 Within-subjects, placebo-controlled, task-free fMRI study n = 30
The effects of psilocybin and MDMA on between-network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers 2014 Placebo-controlled study
Ketamine Decreases Resting State Functional Network Connectivity in Healthy Subjects: Implications for Antidepressant Drug Action Healthy subjects 2012 Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover rsfMRI challenge
Antidepressants Normalize the Default Mode Network in Patients With Dysthymia Subjects with dysthymic disorder and healthy control participants aged 18 to 53 years 2013 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Functional Connectivity Measures After Psilocybin Inform a Novel Hypothesis of Early Psychosis Healthy volunteers 2012 Within-subject, placebo-controlled experimental study n = 15

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