Transcranial ultrasound stimulation promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor and reduces apoptosis in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury.

Brain Stimul

Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Biophotonics and Molecular Imaging Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Published: October 2018

Background: The protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can be elevated by transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the rat brain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of BDNF enhancement by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: Mice subjected to controlled cortical impact injury were treated with LIPUS in the injured region daily for a period of 4 days. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the effects of LIPUS.

Results: The results showed that the LIPUS treatment significantly promoted the neurotrophic factors BDNF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at day 4 after TBI. Meanwhile, LIPUS also enhanced the phosphorylation of Tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), Akt, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Furthermore, treatment with LIPUS significantly decreased the level of cleaved caspase-3. The reduction of apoptotic process was inhibited by the anti-BDNF antibody.

Conclusions: In short, post-injury LIPUS treatment increased BDNF protein levels and inhibited the progression of apoptosis following TBI. The neuroprotective effects of LIPUS may be associated with enhancements of the protein levels of neurotrophic factors, at least partially via the TrkB/Akt-CREB signaling pathway.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2017.09.003DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

transcranial ultrasound
8
ultrasound stimulation
8
brain-derived neurotrophic
8
neurotrophic factor
8
traumatic brain
8
brain injury
8
lipus treatment
8
neurotrophic factors
8
protein levels
8
lipus
7

Similar Publications

Accurate metacognitive judgments about an individual's performance in a mental task require the brain to have access to representations of the quality and difficulty of first-order cognitive processes. However, little is known about how accurate metacognitive judgments are implemented in the brain. Here, we combine brain stimulation with functional neuroimaging to determine the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying the frontopolar cortex's (FPC) role in metacognition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review explores low-cost neurocritical care interventions for resource-limited settings, including economical devices, innovative care models, and disease-specific strategies. Devices like inexpensive ventilators, wearable technology, smartphone-based ultrasound, brain4care, transcranial Doppler, and smartphone pupillometry offer effective diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. Initiatives such as intermediate care units, minimally equipped stroke units, and tele-neurocritical care have demonstrated benefits by reducing hospital stays, preventing complications, and improving clinical and economic outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

State-dependent neurovascular modulation induced by transcranial ultrasound stimulation.

Med Biol Eng Comput

January 2025

School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, Shanghai, China.

Previous studies reported baseline state-dependent effects on neural and hemodynamic responses to transcranial ultrasound stimulation. However, due to neurovascular coupling, neither neural nor hemodynamic baseline alone can fully explain the ultrasound-induced responses. In this study, using a general linear model, we aimed to investigate the roles of both neural and hemodynamic baseline status as well as their interactions in ultrasound-induced responses.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neurosarcoidosis (NS) is a rare form of sarcoidosis, with isolated hypothalamic-pituitary involvement being exceptionally uncommon. We report a 20-year-old woman presenting with polyuria, galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and substantial weight loss. Hormonal evaluation revealed hypopituitarism with arginine-vasopressin deficiency and hyperprolactinemia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Changes in cerebrovascular reactivity as a marker of cognitive impairment risk: a transcranial Doppler study.

J Ultrasound

January 2025

Clinical Unit of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy.

Introduction: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and dementia affect short- and long-term outcome after stroke and can persist even after recover from a physical handicap. The process underlying PSCI is not yet fully understood. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) is a feasible method to investigate cerebrovascular aging or dementia, through the pulsatility index (PI), the cerebrovascular reactivity (e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!