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REVIEW article

Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Neurostimulation
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1466506

The Therapeutic Potential of Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound for Treating Substance Use

Provisionally accepted
Greatness Olaitan Greatness Olaitan *Wendy J. Lynch Wendy J. Lynch *B J. Venton B J. Venton *
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Substance use disorder (SUD) is a persistent public health issue that necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic interventions. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is a promising modality for precise and invasive modulation of brain activity, capable of redefining the landscape of SUD treatment. The review overviews effective LIFU neuromodulatory parameters and molecular mechanisms, focusing on the modulation of reward pathways in key brain regions in animal and human models. Integration of LIFU with established therapeutics holds promise for augmenting treatment outcomes in SUD. The current research examines LIFU's efficacy in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. LIFU shows promise for reducing cravings, modulating reward circuitry, and addressing interoceptive dysregulation and emotional distress.Selecting optimal parameters, encompassing frequency, burst patterns, and intensity, is pivotal for balancing therapeutic efficacy and safety. However, inconsistencies in empirical findings warrant further research on optimal treatment parameters, physiological action mechanisms, and long-term effects. Collaborative interdisciplinary investigations are imperative to fully realize LIFU's potential in revolutionizing SUD treatment paradigms and enhancing patient outcomes.

    Keywords: substance use disorder, Low-intensity focused ultrasound, Neuromodulation, neurotherapeutics, Psychiatry

    Received: 18 Jul 2024; Accepted: 07 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Olaitan, Lynch and Venton. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Greatness Olaitan, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
    Wendy J. Lynch, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
    B J. Venton, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.