Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound and Autonomic Response

Autonomic Dysfunction Clinical Trial

Official title: Investigation of Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound to the Salience Network on Autonomic Function

Status Enrolling by invitation

Clinical Trial Summary

Studying the effects of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) to the dorsal posterior insula (dPI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) on autonomic control using a test to probe the autonomic system. A cold pressor task will be performed pre and post LIFU application. Physiologic recordings will be recorded throughout.

Clinical Trial Description

Characterize the effect of LIFU to the bilateral dorsal posterior insula (dPI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)) on autonomic control. The dPI is a critical brain area involved in autonomic function, being a core recipient of ascending pain and autonomic function. Similarly, the dACC has been strongly implicated in autonomic control and works with the insula for autonomic processing. Inconveniently, these brain regions lie deep to the cortex, prohibiting access using conventional noninvasive methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). LIFU can be focused at depth to reach the insula and ACC with high spatial precision. However, the effect of LIFU to the human dPI and dACC on autonomic control is unknown. To address this, the investigators will target the right dPI and the dACC to assess how LIFU to each of these areas affects autonomic responses and subjective report to the cold pressor task, a safe, reproducible autonomic challenge. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autonomic Dysfunction
• Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
• Primary Dysautonomias

• NCT number: NCT05834829
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 22, 2024
• Completion date: April 30, 2025