Student: Tyler Mitchell
Project Mentors: Dr. Jitendran Muthuswamy – SBHSE
Dr. Bruce Towe – SBHSE
Dr. Arati Sridharan – SBHSE
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/93236029384
Zoom meeting time: 10am - noon
Abstract
Ultrasonic neuromodulation is a novel, non-invasive way to activate or inhibit neurons in the central nervous system with deep and precise penetration. Applications of this modality have been used to disrupt maladaptive circuitry involved in tremor, dyskinesia, epileptic seizures, and other comorbidities of neurological disease. While this novel procedure has profound implications, its effects are poorly understood and there is little quantitative information on the neuronal biological response during stimulation. Mitochondria are known to be involved in calcium ion homeostasis and neuronal death in response to stimulation. In this study, neurons of murine cortical cell cultures incubated with MitoTracker Red were simultaneously imaged in vitro during ultrasonic stimulation to examine transient mitochondrial membrane potential response. The ultrasonic stimulation was set at various parameters: 1 MHz and 3 MHz frequencies; 100 mV and 800 mV excitation amplitudes; a burst period of 100 µs; and 1-5-minute waiting times. The response was analyzed via a histogram interpretation of mitochondrial activity and cell count. Quantifying mitochondrial response during stimulation will elucidate thresholds appropriate for this novel application.