Breakthrough Ultrasound Technology Offers Noninvasive Pain Relief through Brain Modulation, reveals study
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have explored the
potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to noninvasively target
and modulate the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), a key brain region
associated with pain and autonomic processing. The findings present a promising
avenue for noninvasive therapeutic interventions in pain management.
The study results were published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
The dACC, a critical area in the brain linked to pain and
autonomic responses, has long been a target for researchers seeking innovative
ways to alleviate discomfort. The study, conducted with 16 healthy volunteers
(6 males and 10 females), employed LIFU to modulate the dACC while participants
experienced transient heat pain stimuli.
Findings:
The results were significant, with LIFU demonstrating a
remarkable reduction in pain ratings by an average of 1.09 points compared to
Sham stimulation.
This achievement opens doors to noninvasive methods of pain
relief, potentially revolutionizing how we approach discomfort and its
management.
Crucially, the study also delved into the impact of LIFU on
cardiac autonomic responses during acute heat pain stimuli.-
The volunteers’ electrocardiograms (ECG) revealed intriguing
changes, as LIFU increased heart rate variability, as indicated by higher
standard deviation of normal sinus beats (SDNN), low-frequency (LF) power, and
an altered low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio. -
Despite the substantial effects on pain and cardiac
responses, LIFU did not show significant alterations in blood pressure or
electrodermal response (EDR), indicating a targeted and specific impact on
pain-related brain regions.
One particularly noteworthy finding was the 38.1% reduction
in the P2 amplitude of the contact heat-evoked potential (CHEP) observed with
LIFU.- This result further supports the effectiveness of LIFU in modulating
neural responses associated with pain, providing a tangible marker of the
intervention’s impact.
These breakthrough results mark a significant stride in
understanding the brain’s role in pain processing and offer a potential
noninvasive solution for pain relief. The ability to modulate the dACC using
LIFU introduces novel possibilities for therapeutic interventions that go
beyond traditional approaches.
Researchers believe that these findings hold implications
not only for pain management but also for advancing our understanding of human
pain perception and autonomic processing. This research sets the stage for
future investigations into the therapeutic applications of LIFU, with potential
benefits for individuals suffering from chronic pain or seeking alternative
pain relief methods.
In conclusion, the study signifies a major leap forward in
the field of pain research, showcasing the potential of LIFU as a noninvasive
tool for influencing pain perception and autonomic responses. As scientists
continue to unlock the mysteries of the brain, this innovative approach could
pave the way for transformative advancements in pain management and
neurological interventions.
Further reading: Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound to the Human Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Attenuates Acute Pain Perception and Autonomic Responses. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1011-23.2023
