An EIC Pathfinder project combining EEG, functional ultrasound imaging and focused ultrasound stimulation in a wearable brain device. It aims to measure activity in cortical and deeper regions and guide targeted stimulation, with validation in volunteers and participants with epilepsy.
Project abstract
The overall goal of this project is to develop a radically new diagnostic and therapeutic device for neurological applications which combines a highly innovative ultrasound component for brain imaging and focused stimulation of brain regions with advanced electrophysiological measurements of neural activity. First goal of the project is the development of a…Read the full abstractCollapse abstract
The overall goal of this project is to develop a radically new diagnostic and therapeutic device for neurological applications which combines a highly innovative ultrasound component for brain imaging and focused stimulation of brain regions with advanced electrophysiological measurements of neural activity. First goal of the project is the development of a novel ultrasound (US)-based functional imaging method that, in conjunction with electroencephalography (EEG), allows for high spatiotemporal resolution examination of brain activity. While EEG itself yields best data from neural tissue close to the skull, the US component is designed to deliver images from deeper brain regions. The second pillar of the device’s function is focused US brain stimulation. Based on the possibility to localize abnormal activity, the neuromodulation component of the novel device can be guided to focal stimulation of selected brain regions, which can be further developed into a closed-loop design. The full envisioned system is a versatile tool that combines EEG-sensors and US transceivers in a wearable headset. The project foresees the development of hard- and software as well as algorithms to integrate the information from both modalities into functional neuroimaging with unpreceded spatiotemporal resolution. Beyond the technical realization, this project includes a proof of concept study to evaluate and demonstrate practical applicability in healthy participants and in patients with epilepsy, during clinical routine examination, cognitive, and sensory stimulation, including test-retest validation. The new device will reduce the time to examine and treat neurological patients and the cost thereof. The ability to perform better diagnosis via accurate imaging, targeted neurostimulation, and neuromodulation with a cost-effective, non-invasive device will have transformative effects on treatment options for neurological diseases and stimulate new lines of research in cognitive neuroscience
Research connections
Publications
2026
Journal of nanobiotechnology
Neuromodulation techniques have emerged as transformative tools for treating several neurological and psychiatric disorders, offering alternatives to traditional pharmacological approaches often hindered by the blood-brain barrier and off-target effects. While conventional modalities like deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and optogen…Read the full abstractCollapse abstract
Neuromodulation techniques have emerged as transformative tools for treating several neurological and psychiatric disorders, offering alternatives to traditional pharmacological approaches often hindered by the blood-brain barrier and off-target effects. While conventional modalities like deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and optogenetics have shown promise, they each face limitations in invasiveness, spatial resolution, or clinical applicability. In recent years, low-intensity ultrasound has gained attention as a noninvasive, deep-penetrating modality capable of modulating brain circuits with millimeter-sized spatial precision. This review explores the synergistic integration of ultrasound with engineered nanosystems to achieve multimodal neuromodulation such as electrical, mechanical, optical, and chemical via acoustic energy. We describe how nanoscale materials can transduce ultrasound into localized bioelectric signals, mechanical stress, light emission, or controlled drug release. These interactions enable precise, on-demand stimulation or inhibition of neuronal activity, including in deep brain regions. Experimental studies have demonstrated neuromodulatory effects across a variety of models, with applications ranging from optogenetics and drug delivery to behavioral modulation in rodents and primates. The review concludes with a critical assessment of the translational challenges such as nanoparticle delivery, biocompatibility, long-term clearance, and safety thresholds for human use while outlining promising strategies like cell-based delivery, biodegradable materials, and closed-loop control systems. These innovations highlight the potential of ultrasound-assisted nanosystems as transformative tools for precise neuromodulation in both experimental neuroscience and clinical applications.