Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with cognitive impairment, which is commonly also called dementia. (Please note that Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a specific type of cognitive impairment, and it is covered under Alzheimer\u2019s disease). This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the brain without damaging surrounding normal tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> A <\/strong>clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> in California is looking to see if transcranial ultrasound stimulation improves neurologic and cognitive outcomes in patients treated with neurodegenerative diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A <\/strong>clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> in Michigan is evaluating the impact of deep brain stimulation during sedation has on cognitive ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> in South Carolina is using early cognitive impairment with focused ultrasound. This trial is recruiting patients on an invitation only basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> for patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer\u2019s disease is recruiting patients in West Virginia. A clinical trial<\/a> <\/strong>in Florida is using the Storz device to evaluate its effectiveness on patients with mild Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> at the University of Hong Kong is enrolling patients by invitation who have cognitive decline for transcranial pulse stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See a list of treatment sites ><\/a> Search for a treatment center or clinical trial near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Focused ultrasound treatment for cognitive impairment is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suggested Reading:<\/em>\u202f<\/em><\/strong>Focused Ultrasound: Transforming treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases<\/strong><\/em><\/a> August 2022<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jung J, Atkinson-Clement C, Kaiser M,\u00a0Lambon\u00a0Ralph MA.\u00a0Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation enhances semantic memory by modulating brain morphology, neurochemistry and neural dynamics<\/strong><\/a>. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 16.\u00a0doi: 10.1038\/s41467-026-69579-7. PMID: 41698912\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polte S, Klingmann L, Se\u00dfmann A, Schwichtenberg S, Herrmann CS, Witt K, Roheger M. Neuromodulatory Effects of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis<\/strong><\/a>. Neurol Int. 2025 Nov 18;17(11):188. doi: 10.3390\/neurolint17110188. PMID: 41295447 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Strohman A, Isaac G, Payne B, Verdonk C, Khalsa SS, Legon W. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to the insula differentially modulates the heartbeat-evoked potential: A proof-of-concept study<\/strong><\/a>. Clin Neurophysiol. 2024 Nov;167:267-281. doi: 10.1016\/j.clinph.2024.09.006. Epub 2024 Sep 19. PMID: 39366795 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yoo SS, Kim E, Kowsari K, Van Reet J, Kim HC, Yoon K. Non-invasive enhancement of intracortical solute clearance using transcranial focused ultrasound<\/strong><\/a>. Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 31;13(1):12339. doi: 10.1038\/s41598-023-39640-2. PMID: 37524783 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kuo YY, Chen WT, Lin GB, Chen YM, Liu HH, Chao CY. Thermal cycling-hyperthermia ameliorates A\u03b225-35-induced cognitive impairment in C57BL\/6 mice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Neurosci Lett. 2023 Jun 12;810:137337. doi: 10.1016\/j.neulet.2023.137337. PMID: 37315732 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kim E, Van Reet J, Kim HC, Kowsari K, Yoo SS.\u202fHigh Incidence of Intracerebral Hemorrhaging Associated with the Application of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Following Acute Cerebrovascular Injury by Intracortical Injection<\/strong><\/a>. Pharmaceutics. 2022 Oct 6;14(10):2120. doi: 10.3390\/pharmaceutics14102120. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pineda-Pardo JA, Gasca-Salas C, Fern\u00e1ndez-Rodr\u00edguez B, Rodr\u00edguez-Rojas R, Del \u00c1lamo M, Obeso I, Hern\u00e1ndez-Fern\u00e1ndez F, Trompeta C, Mart\u00ednez-Fern\u00e1ndez R, Matarazzo M, Mata-Mar\u00edn D, Guida P, Duque A, Albillo D, Plaza de Las Heras I, Montero JI, Foffani G, Toltsis G, Rachmilevitch I, Blesa J, Obeso JA.\u202fStriatal Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Parkinson\u2019s Disease Dementia: A Pilot Exploratory Study<\/strong><\/a>. Mov Disord. 2022 Jun 28. doi: 10.1002\/mds.29134. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gasca-Salas C, Fern\u00e1ndez-Rodr\u00edguez B, Pineda-Pardo JA, Rodr\u00edguez-Rojas R, Obeso I, Hern\u00e1ndez-Fern\u00e1ndez F, Del \u00c1lamo M, Mata D, Guida P, Ord\u00e1s-Bandera C, Montero-Roblas JI, Mart\u00ednez-Fern\u00e1ndez R, Foffani G, Rachmilevitch I, Obeso JA.\u202fBlood-brain barrier opening with focused ultrasound in Parkinson\u2019s disease dementia<\/strong><\/a>. Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 3;12(1):779. doi: 10.1038\/s41467-021-21022-9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces several therapeutic effects that are being evaluated. One mechanism is the temporary loosening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which may improve the ability of toxic materials to exit and allow cognitive impairment to be treated without surgery. Opening the BBB can also enhance the delivery of therapeutic intravenous exosomes. Another mechanism is to use focused ultrasound to stimulate portions of the brain to have higher activity. While significant work has been accomplished, there is still much to be done before this technology will be widely available.
Advantages<\/strong>
The primary options for treatment of cognitive impairment includes medication, but this is of limited effectiveness.
For certain patients, focused ultrasound might provide a more effective alternative to current treatments. Focused ultrasound can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue, and it can be repeated, if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> is treating patients with neurodegenerative cognitive impairment in Los Angeles, California. This study is only recruiting patients by invitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See a list of clinical trials sites ><\/a>
See a list of laboratory research sites ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFind a Treatment Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Notable Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n