TABLE 3.
Schematic overview of preclinical trials investigating behavioral and neurophysiological effects of LIFU in experimental epilepsy models.
| Author | Year | Experimental model | Sample size | LIFU parameters | Target | Main results |
| Zhang et al. | 2021a | Rats Acute KA | N = 21 | FF: 0.5 MHz PRF: 1.5 kHz DC: NR Duration: NR Energy: max. 101.1 mW/cm2 | Hippocampus | ↓ EEG average amplitude ↓ Network connection strength |
| Zhang et al. | 2021b | Rats Acute Pilocarpine | N = 30 | FF: 0.65 MHz PRF: 1 Hz DC: 2% Duration: 90 s per sonication Energy: NR | Hippocampus | ↓ Seizure frequency after administering a neurotoxin by opening the BBB Elimination of convulsive seizures in two animals |
| Zhang et al. | 2021c | Rats Acute KA | N = 27 | FF: 0.25–0.65 MHz PRF: 1.5 kHz DC: NR Duration: 40 s Energy: NR | Hippocampus | ↓ EEG power spectral density and connection strength of the brain network after administering two modes of LIFU No significant difference between the two modes. |
| Zhang et al. | 2020 | Mice Acute Pilocarpine | N = 11 | FF: 1.5 MHz PRF: 1 Hz DC: 2% Duration: 120 s per sonication Energy: NR | Hippocampus | ↓ Behavioral seizure of 21.2% after administering a neurotoxin by opening the BBB |
| Lin et al. | 2020 | Monkeys Acute Penicilin | N = 5 | FF: 0.75 MHz PRF: 100 Hz DC: NR Duration: 1 × 30 min Energy: Ispta: 233 mW/cm2 Isppa 2.02 W/cm2 | Temporal lobe, not further specified | ↓ Seizure frequency |
| Zou et al. | 2020 | Rhesus monkeys Acute Penicilin | N = 2 | FF: 0.8 MHz PRF: 500 Hz DC: 36% Duration: 1 × 15 min Energy: NR |
Right hand movement area | ↓ Seizure frequency |
| Chen et al. | 2019 | Rats Acute Pentylenetetrazol | N = 76 | FF: 0.5 MHz PRF: 100 Hz DC: 8%, 30% Duration: 1 × 10 min Energy: 0–2.812 W/cm2 |
Hippocampus and thalamus regions | ↓ Epileptic activity Expression level changes of c-FOS and GAD65 |
| Li et al. | 2019a | Mice Acute KA | N = 37 | FF: 0.5 MHz PRF: 500 Hz DC: 50% Duration: 30 s, per seizure Energy: NR |
Hippocampus (CA3) | ↓ LFP intensity in the low frequency (<10 Hz) bands ↑ inter-seizure interval |
| Li et al. | 2019b | Mice Acute KA | N = 14 | FF: 0.5 MHz PRF: 500 Hz DC: 50% Duration: 30 s, per seizure Energy: NR |
Hippocampus (CA3) | ↓ Seizure frequency ↑ Complexity, approximate entropy of the delta/theta frequency bands, and Lyapunov exponent of the LFP |
| Hakimova et al. | 2015 | Mice Acute KA | N = 34 | FF: 0.2 MHz PRF: 500 Hz DC: NR Duration: 30 s, per seizure Energy: NR |
Hippocampus | ↓ Acute seizures Improvement in behavioral task |
| Min et al. | 2011 | Rats Acute Pentylenetetrazol | N = 27 | FF: 0.69 MHz PRF: 100 Hz DC: NR Duration: 2 × 3 min. Energy: 130 mW/cm2 | Thalamus | ↓ EEG burst activity |
KA, kainic acid; NR, not reported; FF, fundamental frequency; PRF, pulse repetition frequency; DC, duty cycle; LFP, local field potential; BBB, blood–brain barrier; LIFU, low intensity focused ultrasound.