3MP-FUS

The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a multi-purpose, multi-parameter, multi-platform FUS System (3MP-FUS System) for transcranial neuromodulation.

Neurological diseases are often accompanied by focal changes in the brain. Therapy options mainly aim to normalize the altered brain function, e.g. by neurostimulation such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). For treatment of deep brain regions such as the Globus Pallidus internus, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a neurological intervention, is used. An alternative would be non-invasive stimulation techniques, such as TMS. However, these have a low spatial resolution without reaching the relevant deep structures of the brain. Focused Ultrasound combines good spatial focality and depth penetration and therefore is of great interest for non-invasive modulation of deep brain regions.

Throughout 2025 we improved the MRI feasibility of the ultrasound system with FhG IBMT. With our partner Localite we integrated the neuro-navigated FUS system into our 1.5 T MAGNETOM Sola. The fully integrated 3MP-FUS System enables automatic MRI slice orientation along the acoustic lobe and centered on the acoustic focus. The 3MP-FUS System can subsequently receive MRI images and, through voxel-based registration of the image, visualize the acquired images as a fused image in the navigation software. We transferred the setup to the 3.0 T MAGNETOM Cima.X at our partner MPI CBS. There we are currently preparing the setup for a neuromodulation pilot on volunteers.