Non-invasive peripheral focused ultrasound neuromodulation of the celiac plexus ameliorates symptoms in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Does peripheral non-invasive focused ultrasound targeted to the celiac plexus improve inflammatory bowel disease? What is the main finding and its importance? Peripheral non-invasive focused ultrasound targeted to the celiac plexus in a rat model of ulcerative colitis improved stool consistency and reduced stool bloodiness, which coincided with a longer and healthier colon than in animals without focused ultrasound treatment. The findings suggest that this novel neuromodulatory technology could serve as a plausible therapeutic approach for improving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience significantly diminished quality of life.