LIFUS For Neurological Disorders
Clinical Effects of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Patients With Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
University Health Network, Toronto
50 participants
Dec 2, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) has the potential to be used as a means of non-invasive neuro-modulation. To this day, the use of LIFUS is under investigation. Studies in healthy subjects have shown that application of LIFUS to the motor region of the brain can mildly decrease neuron excitability in healthy controls. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of LIFUS on brain tissue excitability in patients with movement disorders in order to elucidate the therapeutic potential of LIFUS.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- years of age
- Patients diagnosed with neurological disorders, (such as epilepsy, brain tumour, movement disorders) or psychiatric disorders (such as substance abuse disorder)
- Patients undergoing medical or surgical treatment (such as DBS) for neurological disorders
Exclusion Criteria9
- History of stroke
- Comorbid dementia
- Scored below 22 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Has an implanted cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- Presence of metal implanted in body that is contraindicated in TMS/MRI
- Pregnancy
- Major depression/psychiatric disorder that in the opinion of the Investigator will affect patient's understanding of study procedures and willingness to abide by all procedures during the course of the study
- Receiving a psychotropic medication or taking recreational substances that in the opinion of the investigator will significantly affect safety of the protocol
- Major systemic illness or infection
Interventions
Low-intensity focused ultrasound neuromodulation delivered to targeted cortical and/or subcortical brain regions to transiently modulate neural activity. LIFUS may be applied alone or in combination with concurrent neurophysiological assessments (e.g., TMS-evoked motor evoked potentials, EEG recordings, or DBS local field potential sensing) depending on the study component.
Sham low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation designed to mimic the sensory and procedural aspects of active LIFUS without delivering therapeutic ultrasound energy. The sham condition serves as a control to maintain blinding of participants and investigators.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07417280