Review of Noninvasive or Minimally Invasive Deep Brain Stimulation

Abstract

Brain stimulation is a critical technique in neuroscience research and clinical application. Traditional transcranial brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been widely investigated in neuroscience for decades. However, TMS and tDCS have poor spatial resolution and penetration depth, and DBS requires electrode implantation in deep brain structures. These disadvantages have limited the clinical applications of these techniques. Owing to developments in science and technology, substantial advances in noninvasive and precise deep stimulation have been achieved by neuromodulation studies. Second-generation brain stimulation techniques that mainly rely on acoustic, electronic, optical, and magnetic signals, such as focused ultrasound, temporal interference, near-infrared optogenetic, and nanomaterial-enabled magnetic stimulation, offer great prospects for neuromodulation. This review summarized the mechanisms, development, applications, and strengths of these techniques and the prospects and challenges in their development. We believe that these second-generation brain stimulation techniques pave the way for brain disorder therapy.

Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Stroke Recovery: A Novel Deep Brain Stimulation Approach for Neurorehabilitation?

“…Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a novel and non-invasive alternative technique to reach deep brain regions [71] , [73] , [74] , [75] . In contrast to conventional NIBS the penetrability and focality of TUS is less limited by the biophysical instances when penetrating deep brain regions [76] , [77] , [78] , [79] . Thus, TUS appears to be a superior technique in terms of deep brain stimulation with its excellent focality, penetrability and steering capacities [71] , [74] , [80] .…”

“…75,[77][78][79] In contrast to conventional NIBS the penetrability and focality of TUS is less limited by the biophysical instances when penetrating deep brain regions. [80][81][82][83] Thus, TUS appears to be a superior technique in terms of deep brain stimulation with its excellent focality, penetrability and steering capacities. 75,78,84 Furthermore, increasing studies in smaller animals [85][86][87] , monkeys [88][89][90] , sheep 91 and first-in-humans studies 92 are highlighting the potential safety and feasibility of TUS as a novel NIBS method.…”

Quantitative analysis of noninvasive deep temporal interference stimulation: A simulation and experimental study

“…However, invasive DBS is associated with several complications, including intracranial bleeding, infection, and changes in the position of the electrode tip [ 22 ]. Recently, to eliminate the risks associated with invasive methods, non-invasive DBS has been proposed to stimulate different deep brain areas [ 23 ]. The method does not require surgery or the placement of electrodes inside the brain, thus reducing the risk of complications associated with invasive DBS.…”

A novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique: “Temporally interfering electrical stimulation”

“…Overall, it is significant and necessary to develop novel neuromodulation techniques with both high spatial resolution and non-invasive character (Caulfield and George, 2018;Liu et al, 2021). In Grossman et al (2017) proposed a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique-"temporally interfering" (TI) electrical stimulation.…”