Exploring focused ultrasound: advances and applications

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is advancing rapidly as a non-invasive, targeted approach in human neuroscience— from precise neuromodulation to altering blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability to enable targeted therapeutic delivery. This Research Topic brings together recent advances and applications of FUS approaches, highlighting technical innovations, translational pathways, and rigorous evaluations of safety and efficacy.


Focused Ultrasound (FUS) stands on the brink of becoming a groundbreaking technology in neuroscience, providing a noninvasive and targeted way to influence cellular activity and deliver treatments for neurological diseases. Using acoustic energy, FUS can enable precise neuromodulation as well as topographically resolved physiological alterations for therapeutic purposes.

This Research Topic aims to comprehensively review the latest advances in FUS within human neuroscience. Submissions are expected to emphasize technical innovations, novel applications in human neuroscience and precision medicine, challenges in translating research, and new insights into safety and efficacy.

We invite contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Mechanisms of Action: How ultrasound interacts with brain tissue at different levels; effects on neurons, blood–brain barrier, neurovascular system, glial, and immune responses; effects on the blood–brain barrier, neurovascular system, glial and immune responses, and cellular responses to mechanical stimuli; molecular and systems-level changes including gene expression/epigenetics and metabolic regulation (in brain and periphery).
• Neuromodulation: Use of FUS for temporary or long-lasting modulation of brain circuits, mapping functional connectivity, and analyzing brain–behavior relationships in health and disease.
• Neurological and Psychiatric Applications: FUS in brain drug/biologic delivery—from small molecules and nanoparticles to antibodies and AAV/gene-therapy vectors—and use in conjunction with treatments for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and brain tumors (e.g., improved survival in glioblastoma patients; behavioral improvement in Alzheimer’s patients).
• Cognitive Neuroscience Applications: Usages of FUS for novel research of attention, cognition, perception, and emotions, including novel applications for subcortical and deep brain stimulation.
• Translational and Clinical Studies: Early-phase to pragmatic/multicenter designs; endpoints spanning target engagement, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, cognition/behavior, and patient-relevant outcomes.
• Influence of FUS on the BBB. Recent studies indicate that BBB modulation can be performed safely and repeatedly, enabling delivery of drugs, biologics, and contrast agents to the brain. The next step is to demonstrate clear patient benefits and establish economic viability. We especially welcome submissions that address these gaps.
• Integration with Other Modalities: FUS combined with neuroimaging and electrophysiology, AI-guided planning/control, and the potential for noninvasive brain–machine interfaces.
• Liquid/Sonobiopsy: Ultrasound-enabled access to circulating or CSF biomarkers (e.g., ctDNA/ctRNA, proteomic/metabolomic signatures) for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment guidance.
• Histotripsy and Tissue Effects: Nonthermal ablation, precision targeting, and interactions with immune responses.
• Devices and Monitoring: Advances in transducers/arrays, targeting and navigation, image/MR guidance, and real-time feedback for safe and reproducible practice.
• Ethical considerations and patient perspectives FUS.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: focused ultrasound, neuromodulation, connectivity, neurological disorders, translational studies, deep brain stimulation, blood–brain barrier, cognitive neuroscience, drug delivery

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.