Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Neurol Sci. 2024 Jul;45(7):2997-3006. doi: 10.1007/s10072-024-07426-7. Epub 2024 Mar 4.
Ultrasound is a mechanical vibration with a frequency greater than 20 kHz. Due to its high spatial resolution, good directionality, and convenient operation in neural regulation, it has recently received increasing attention from scientists. However, the mechanism by which ultrasound regulates the nervous system is still unclear. This article mainly explores the possible mechanisms of ultrasound's mechanical effects, cavitation effects, thermal effects, and the rise of sonogenetics. In addition, the essence of action potential and its relationship with ultrasound were also discussed. Traditional theory treats nerve impulses as pure electrical signals, similar to cable theory. However, this theory cannot explain the phenomenon of inductance and cell membrane bulging out during the propagation of action potential. Therefore, the flexoelectric effect of cell membrane and soliton model reveal that action potential may also be a mechanical wave. Finally, we also elaborated the therapeutic effect of ultrasound on nervous system disease such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
超声是一种频率大于 20kHz 的机械振动。由于其在神经调控方面具有较高的空间分辨率、良好的方向性和操作简便等特点，近年来受到了科学家们的越来越多的关注。然而，超声调节神经系统的机制尚不清楚。本文主要探讨了超声的机械效应、空化效应、热效应和 sonogenetics 兴起的可能机制。此外，还讨论了动作电位的本质及其与超声的关系。传统理论将神经冲动视为纯电信号，类似于电缆理论。然而，该理论无法解释动作电位传播过程中电感和细胞膜鼓起的现象。因此，细胞膜的挠曲电效应和孤子模型表明，动作电位也可能是一种机械波。最后，我们还阐述了超声治疗神经系统疾病（如癫痫、帕金森病和阿尔茨海默病）的效果。
