# Ultrasound neurostimulation with piezoelectric nanoparticles

> **NIH NIH R03** · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · 2021 · $78,072

## Abstract

Project Summary
Neural stimulation is a standard tool in neuroscience, allowing researchers to specifically study the role individual
or groups of neurons play in a larger interconnected circuit. Despite its widespread applicability, however, there
remains no reliable method to noninvasively stimulate a specific set of neurons. Current approaches rely on
implanted electrodes, genetic modification, and/or invasive optical fibers. These not only restrict the long-term
applicability of these technologies, but also may influence the measurements themselves. Thus, a reliable
method for noninvasive neural stimulation could advance the field of neuroscience and enable new therapeutic
approaches for conditions where neural stimulation has shown promise. We have developed a method where
ultrasound energy is used to excite piezoelectric nanoparticles. Upon exposure to the energy, the piezoelectric
nanoparticles build up an electric charge on their surface. We hypothesize that this enables them to trigger
voltage sensitive ion channels in the neurons. Our in vitro data indicate that ultrasound stimulation of calcium
and glutamate activity only reliably occurs when piezoelectric nanoparticles are present. In this proposal, we
seek to take the first steps to applying the technology in vivo. The overall goal of this project is to establish that
the piezoelectric nanoparticles can be used to enable ultrasound stimulation of neurons in brain slices and in
vivo. We will first identify ideal ultrasound stimulation parameters and nanoparticle concentrations by using brain
slice preparations. Then we will apply these ideal parameters to living rats. We will stimulate the motor cortex
and use a combination of local field potentials and electromyography to measure the resulting neural stimulation.
Overall, this study will result in demonstrating that piezoelectric nanoparticles can be harnessed for reliable
ultrasonic neurostimulation in vivo.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10128021
- **Project number:** 1R03NS118125-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Geoffrey P. Luke
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $78,072
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-15 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10128021

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10128021, Ultrasound neurostimulation with piezoelectric nanoparticles (1R03NS118125-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10128021. Licensed CC0.

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