Focused Ultrasound Amygdala Neuromodulation

Focused Ultrasound Amygdala Neuromodulation for the Mechanistic Treatment of Affective Disorders

The purpose of the study is to examine the feasibility and potential efficacy of low-intensity focused ultrasound as a method of modulating amygdala function to promote improvements in symptoms of an affective disorder. Ultrasound is frequently and safely utilized for diagnostic purposes. In this study, the investigators will utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuronavigation to target the left amygdala and apply ultrasound. This will be conducted once a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. This will be an open-label, single-arm trial.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Bipolar Depression; Ptsd
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Focused ultrasound

Detailed Description

Affective disorders broadly defined, including the diagnoses of major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder, constitute a large portion of the mental health diagnoses worldwide and pose an enormous public health problem. All of these diagnoses are characterized by a common disturbance in affect and emotion, primarily exaggerated and prolonged states of negative affect (e.g., sadness, fear, anxiety, and anger) triggered by reactivity to emotionally provocative stimuli (e.g., a stressful life situation, perceived threat in the environment, etc.). Apropos, all of these diagnoses are similarly characterized by a shared emotion-processing hyperactivity in a subcortical limbic brain structure underlying the detection of salient environmental stimuli-the amygdala. This shared amygdala hyper-reactivity in affective disorders is thought to underlie a common exaggerated emotional reactivity phenotype, consistent with recent conceptualizations of mental illness as reflecting extremes of functioning on trans-diagnostic dimensions of normal bio-behavioral brain processes, i.e. the Research Domain Criteria, which identify the amygdala as a key mediator of all subdomains of negative valence brain systems. Thus, the amygdala remains one of the most promising affective disorder neuromodulatory therapeutic targets.

Although effective psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions have been developed for the treatment of affective disorders, a substantial number of individuals fail to respond to such first-line interventions. This inadequacy has led to the development of neuromodulatory therapies for affective disorders, including transcranial electrical (TES)and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which are believed to exert indirect therapeutic effects on subcortical limbic and ventral prefrontal brain structures via cortical pathways accessible to non-invasive modulation. However, TES/TMS stimulation is critically limited by the fact that focal depth can only reach several centimeters past the skull, thereby limiting the focus of neuromodulation to superficial cortical regions. The investigators propose the inability to directly and non-invasively focally modulate the amygdala, a key locus of affective disorder pathophysiology, is a critical barrier to maximizing the efficacy of neuromodulatory interventions in humans.

Recent advances in brain modulation have identified transcranial low intensity focused ultrasound pulsation (LIFUP) as a novel methodology for reversibly augmenting brain function. LIFUP involves the administration of high frequency sound waves into the brain via a series of transducers placed against the side of the head. This procedure is safe and non-invasive and demonstrates great potential for development as a future neuromodulatory intervention. Importantly, ultrasound has been demonstrated in both animals and humans to have the capability for reversibly up or down-modulating brain function on time scales of seconds to hours.

Crucially, LIFUP has several key advantages over existing non-invasive neuromodulatory interventions. First, it is both focal and depth-compatible, which allows deep subcortical brain structures, e.g., the amygdala, to be directly stimulated non-invasively. Second, it is inherently compatible with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the gold-standard methodology for non-invasive brain mapping in humans, which is in contrast to TES/TMS interventions that pose serious risks for deployment in an MR-environment. This allows the modulatory effect of LIFUP to be tracked and quantified in real-time, thereby affording a substantial advancement in stimulation targeting and assessment of target engagement. However, as this technology is very new, there is currently little known regarding its utility as an intervention tool. The investigators will utilize a novel LIFUP device that is capable of directly and non-invasively modulating function of deep subcortical structures such as the amygdala.

In this study, the investigators will test how LIFUP amygdala neuromodulation impacts the function of the amygdala, how this differs in individuals with an affective disorder, and whether repetitive LIFUP targeted to the amygdala (5 days a week for 3 weeks, 15 sessions total) demonstrates any therapeutic benefit on affective disorder symptoms and how such therapeutic benefits might relate to changes observed in brain function.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 29
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78712
      • Health Discovery Building (HDB), 1601 Trinity St., Bldg B., Z0600

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ages 18-65
• Willing and able to undergo the MRI and LIFUP procedures and repeated LIFUP for up to 15 sessions
• English language proficiency sufficient to speak to investigators and understand investigator instruction
• Can visit the laboratory several times over the course of 2 to 6 weeks
• Individuals with a primary affective disorder diagnosis (major depression, bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder on the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Diagnosis 5th Edition
• Score of 19 or greater on the general distress subscale of the 30-item Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire
• Psychiatric medication(s) on a stable dosage and regimen for the past 3 months (including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and sedatives/hypnotics)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to LIFUP or MRI including, but not limited to, history of stroke, brain tumors, brain hemorrhages, internal wires, electrodes, pacemakers, implants, irremovable ferromagnetic objects in head that are unsafe for MRI and/or cause large distortions in imaging data, history of seizures (except febrile seizures in childhood), brain surgery, moderate-to-severe head injury or any penetrating head injury, and uncontrolled thyroid disorder.
• Pregnant women or people trying to become pregnant will also be excluded due to the unknown effects of MRI on developing fetuses
• Individuals with serious medical illnesses that are likely to interfere with study: cancer, autism, narcolepsy etc.
• Current active suicidal/homicidal ideation (or suicide attempt in the past 3 months)
• Current substance-use disorder
• Current or recent (within 3 months) psychotic symptoms, or currently meeting diagnostic criteria for a manic episode
• Individuals currently actively engaged in evidence-based or experimental treatments (e.g., weekly cognitive behavioral psychotherapies, transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine/esketamine treatment) other than psychiatric medication(s)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Open-label focused ultrasound; Focused ultrasound at a 10 Hz pulse repetition frequency, 5% duty cycle, and 720 mw/cm squared de-rated spatial peak temporal average intensity, delivered over 10 min once a day, five days a week for 3 weeks.	Device: Focused ultrasound; Focused ultrasound at a 10 Hz pulse repetition frequency, 5% duty cycle, and 720 mw/cm squared de-rated spatial peak temporal average intensity, delivered over 10 min.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from Baseline on the 30 item Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire General Distress Subscale score at 6 weeks	A measure of general distress related to mood and anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 10-50, with lower scores indicating less symptoms.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline fMRI activation to emotional stimuli at 6 weeks	Task-based brain activation to emotional faces	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline fMRI resting state connectivity at 6 weeks	Connectivity between the left amygdala and the rest of the brain	Through study completion, around 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from Baseline Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score at 6 weeks	A measure of state and trait anxiety. Scores range from 0 to 60 for each of the sub scales, state anxiety and trait anxiety. Lower scores indicate less anxiety.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of PTSD symptom severity. Scores range from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating less PTSD symptoms.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of anhedonia. Scoring range from 0 to 14, with lower scores indicating less anhedonia.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptom Self-Report score at 6 weeks	A self report measure of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 48, with lower scores indicating less symptoms of depression.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline World Health Organization Quality of Life Inventory-Brief subscale scores at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of quality of life with four subscales: Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships, and Environment. Scores for each range from 4-20, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Beck Depression Inventory II score at 6 weeks.	A self-report measure of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 63, with lower scores indicating less symptoms of depression.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Positive and Negative Affect Scale Short Form at 6 weeks.	A self-report measure of positive and negative affect. There are scores for Positive Affect and Negative Affect, each of which is scored from 10-50. Higher scores indicate more of that particular type of affect.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Anxiety Sensitivity Index 3 score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of anxiety sensitivity. Scores range from 0 to 72, with lower scores indicating less anxiety sensitivity.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Beck Anxiety Inventory score at 6 weeks	A self report measure of anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 63, with lower scores indicating less anxiety.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of sleep quality. Scores range from 0 to 21, with lower scores indicating better quality sleep.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Temporal Experiences of Pleasure Scale score at 6 weeks.	A self report measure of hedonic responding. There are two subscales, one assessing anticipatory pleasure and the other assessing consummatory pleasure. Scores for each subscale are the average of the scores for each item on the subscale, ranging from 1 to 6. Higher scores indicate a higher tendency to experience pleasure.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Urgency-Premeditation-Perseverance-Sensation Seeking-Positive Urgency Short Version score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of impulsive behavioral responding. There are 5 subscales, measuring negative urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, sensation seeking, and positive urgency. Scores range from 4 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater impulsivity.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Conor Davidson Resiliency Scale score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of resiliency. Scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater resiliency.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Daily Drinking Questionnaire Revised	A self-report measure of daily drinking. Scores range from 0 to no upper bound, as the score reflects the average number of alcoholic drinks consumed over the period assessed.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score at 6 weeks	A self-report measure of problematic alcohol use. Scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating more problematic alcohol use.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test score at 6 weeks.	A self-report measure of problematic cannabis use. Scores range from 0 to 32, with higher scores indicating more problematic cannabis use.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire 30 item Anhedonic Depression subscale score at 6 weeks.	A subscale measure of anhedonic depressive symptoms. Scores range from 10-50, with lower scores indicating less anhedonic depression.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks.
Change from Baseline Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire 30 item Anxious Arousal subscale score at 6 weeks.	A subscale measure of anxious arousal symptoms. Scores range from 10-50, with lower scores indicating less anxious arousal.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Physicians Health Questionnaire 9 score at 6 weeks.	A self-report screener of major depression. Scores range from 0 to 27, with lower scores indicating fewer symptoms of depression.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 score at 6 weeks.	A self-report screener of generalized anxiety disorder. Scores range from 0 to 21, with lower scores indicating less symptoms of generalized anxiety.	Through study completion, around 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Gregory A Fonzo, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Barksdale BR, Enten L, DeMarco A, Kline R, Doss MK, Nemeroff CB, Fonzo GA. Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound amygdala neuromodulation: a double-blind sham-controlled target engagement study and unblinded single-arm clinical trial. Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Oct;30(10):4497-4511. doi: 10.1038/s41380-025-03033-w. Epub 2025 Apr 24.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 13, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): April 27, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 13, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): February 8, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 29, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: fMRI; neuromodulation; amygdala; affective disorder; focused ultrasound
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Bipolar and Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Behavior; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Bipolar Disorder; Mood Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00000137

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes