Non-invasive in vivo acoustoelectric neuromodulation and its contribution to ultrasound stimulation

Journal article

Non-invasive brain stimulation offers therapeutic potential without surgery, yet existing electrical approaches lack spatial precision due to the long wavelengths of electric fields. Here we demonstrate acoustoelectric neuromodulation, a nonlinear interaction between applied acoustic and electric fields that generates spatially localised, low-frequency electric fields at the ultrasound focus. Using in vitro and in vivo mouse electrophysiology, we show motor-evoked responses that depend on both the amplitude and frequency of the acoustoelectric field, with controls excluding purely acoustic or electrical origins. In vivo measurements show acoustoelectric potentials of ≈9 mV, corresponding to estimated focal electric fields of ~6 V/m at 500 kHz and 1 MPa acoustic pressure, with ~1.5 mm extrema spacing demonstrated in phantom experiments. Importantly, we identify an acoustoelectric contribution to conventional ultrasound stimulation, arising from interactions between ultrasound-induced electrical signals and propagating acoustic waves, establishing acoustoelectric neuromodulation as a distinct mechanism influencing ultrasound-based brain stimulation.

Authors: Rintoul, JL; Butler, C; Cleveland, RO; Grossman, N

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Journal: Nature Communications
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 1
• Article number: 5073
• Publication date: 2026-06-17
• Acceptance date: 2026-05-21
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-73826-2
• EISSN: 2041-1723
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• Language: English