Ultrasound Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain

Overseen By Jan Kubanek, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Sponsor: University of Utah

Disqualifiers: Poorly managed condition, Pregnant, Implanted device, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1 week

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether low-intensity ultrasound can reduce chronic neuropathic pain, which results from nerve damage. The study uses a low-frequency ultrasonic transducer to send ultrasound waves to the dorsal root ganglia, a group of nerves linked to pain. Participants will receive either the real treatment or a sham to compare effects. Individuals experiencing moderate-to-severe chronic pain for over two months and who can maintain their current pain treatments might be suitable for this study. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative approach.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

No, you will not have to stop taking your current medications. The study requires that you avoid changes to your current treatments for the duration of the study.

What prior data suggests that this ultrasound stimulation is safe for neuropathic pain?

Research has shown that low-energy transcranial focused ultrasound, a type of sound wave therapy, is safe and noninvasive for treating long-term nerve pain. Studies have found that patients tolerate this treatment well. In these studies, no serious side effects occurred, indicating it is generally safe. This method has been tested in various situations and uses sound waves to target specific pain areas. Overall, early results suggest this approach may safely manage pain without harmful side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Unlike the standard treatments for neuropathic pain, which often involve medications like gabapentin or pregabalin that target nerve signals chemically, low-frequency ultrasound stimulation uses sound waves to target pain directly at the nerve roots. This method is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't require surgery or medications, and it can precisely focus on areas involved in pain conduction, such as the dorsal root ganglion. Researchers are excited about this approach because it offers a new way to manage pain without the side effects associated with drugs, potentially providing faster relief by directly modulating nerve activity.

What evidence suggests that this ultrasound stimulation is effective for neuropathic pain?

This trial will compare active and sham stimulation using low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) for neuropathic pain. Research has shown that tFUS can alter pain-related behaviors in animals and might help reduce long-term nerve pain by targeting specific brain areas involved in processing pain. In some cases, tFUS has shown promise as a noninvasive treatment for mental and brain disorders. Evidence from mouse studies indicates that directing ultrasound at certain brain areas can reduce pain. Although researchers are still studying this treatment, early results suggest it could provide relief for people with chronic nerve pain. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jan Kubanek, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Daniel Odell, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with a primary diagnosis of chronic neuropathic pain that's been ongoing for at least two months. Participants should be willing to stick to their current treatments without changes and, if female and able to have children, must not be pregnant or agree to use effective contraception.

Inclusion Criteria

For females of reproductive potential: negative pregnancy test or use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to baseline; agreement to use such a method throughout the study

I have had chronic pain for at least 2 months.

I have been primarily diagnosed with chronic pain.

Exclusion Criteria

Implanted device in the back

Pregnant or breast feeding

Clinically inappropriate for participation in the study as determined by the study team

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound is applied to the dorsal root ganglia with psychophysical and physiological monitoring

1 week

Daily visits during the intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for pain intensity using NRS-11 and PROMIS scales

1 week

Daily assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Low-frequency ultrasonic transducer

Trial Overview The study tests low-intensity focused ultrasound on dorsal root ganglia in patients with chronic pain, using MRI validation. It involves initial testing of various stimulation parameters followed by a blinded comparison between real and sham (fake) stimulations to see which reduces pain better.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active stimulation Active Control 1 Intervention

Low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation of dorsal root ganglion involved in pain conduction

Group II: Sham stimulation Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Zero-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation of dorsal root ganglion involved in pain conduction

Low-frequency ultrasonic transducer is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound for:

• Chronic neuropathic pain
• Radiculopathy (sciatica)
• Spinal cord injury
• Phantom limb pain

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Utah

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Low intensity focused ultrasound (liFUS) can modulate pain responses without causing significant heating, as demonstrated in swine models, with magnetic resonance thermometry imaging (MRTI) effectively measuring temperature changes of less than 2.0 °C at the L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG).

The study identified that referenceless MRTI is capable of accurately detecting small thermal changes, which is crucial for establishing safe parameters for future liFUS therapy in humans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MR thermometry imaging for low intensity focused ultrasound modulation of spinal nervous tissue. Olinger, C., Vest, J., Tarasek, M., et al.[2023]

This study demonstrated that MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) can effectively and accurately ablate targeted peripheral nerves in pigs, with temperatures reaching up to 85.7°C, indicating its potential for treating neuropathic pain noninvasively.

The use of 3D MR neurography allowed for precise identification and targeting of nerves, suggesting that this imaging technique could enhance the safety and efficacy of nerve ablation procedures by ensuring accurate treatment delivery and post-treatment verification.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Non-Invasive Targeted Peripheral Nerve Ablation Using 3D MR Neurography and MRI-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MR-HIFU): Pilot Study in a Swine Model. Huisman, M., Staruch, RM., Ladouceur-Wodzak, M., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 30 male Sprague Dawley rats with common peroneal nerve injury, low intensity focused ultrasound (liFUS) applied to the L5 dorsal root ganglion significantly altered neuronal activity, increasing pyramidal neuron spike frequency in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and reducing interneuron firing in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

These changes in neuronal activity occurred 80 to 120 minutes after liFUS treatment and may correlate with improved sensory thresholds, suggesting a potential mechanism for how liFUS can help alleviate neuropathic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of low intensity focused ultrasound on neuronal activity in pain processing regions in a rodent model of common peroneal nerve injury. Bao, J., Byraju, K., Patel, VJ., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 11 patients with chronic neuropathic pain, low-energy focused ultrasound (FUS) significantly reduced pain levels, with median current pain decreasing from 10.0 to 7.0 after 4 weeks, indicating its efficacy as a treatment.

The procedure was found to be safe, with no reported side effects such as burns or seizures, and no significant changes observed in follow-up brain imaging, suggesting that low-energy tcNgFUS is a noninvasive option for pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-Energy Transcranial Navigation-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Neuropathic Pain: An Exploratory Study. Shin, DH., Son, S., Kim, EY.[2023]

High-density gel polymer matrices are effective couplants for low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) neuromodulation, showing low acoustic attenuation (3.3%) and minimal beam distortion, making them suitable for clinical use.

The study highlights the importance of using standardized methods for preparing these gels to ensure consistent performance, as factors like thickness and de-gassing can significantly affect acoustic transmission and pressure attenuation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a Novel Acoustic Coupling Medium for Human Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Applications. Strohman, A., In, A., Stebbins, K., et al.[2023]

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a promising noninvasive technique for managing chronic pain, with approved uses for thalamotomy in neuropathic pain and treatment of pain from bone metastases.

Different intensities of FUS can produce varying effects: low-intensity ultrasound (LILFUS) can facilitate or suppress neural activity, while high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can ablate tissue, showing potential for treating conditions like knee osteoarthritis and refractory chronic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for Chronic Pain Management: Approved and Potential Applications. di Biase, L., Falato, E., Caminiti, ML., et al.[2021]

Low intensity focused ultrasound (liFUS) significantly reduces allodynia in rats with common peroneal nerve injury (CPNI) by increasing mechanical nociceptive thresholds, indicating its potential as a pain management therapy.

liFUS treatment leads to a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines (such as TNFa, IL6, CNTF, and IL1b) in the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn tissues, suggesting that its mechanism of action involves modulating inflammatory pathways associated with neuropathic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of external low intensity focused ultrasound on inflammatory markers in neuropathic pain. Hellman, A., Clum, A., Maietta, T., et al.[2021]

Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) can effectively stimulate the motor area of the brain in rats using lower acoustic intensities (4.9-5.6 W/cm²) with specific pulsing parameters, indicating its potential for safe brain stimulation.

The study found that pulsed sonication is more effective than continuous sonication for eliciting motor responses, suggesting that this method could be optimized for therapeutic applications while adhering to safety limits for biological tissue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Focused ultrasound-mediated non-invasive brain stimulation: examination of sonication parameters. Kim, H., Chiu, A., Lee, SD., et al.[2022]

A study involving 120 participants evaluated the safety of low intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (LIFU) for neuromodulation, finding no serious adverse effects and only mild to moderate symptoms reported by 7 participants, which were generally transient.

The symptom profile from LIFU was similar to other non-invasive brain stimulation methods, suggesting that LIFU is a safe option for neuromodulation with manageable side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A retrospective qualitative report of symptoms and safety from transcranial focused ultrasound for neuromodulation in humans. Legon, W., Adams, S., Bansal, P., et al.[2021]

Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) can precisely target specific brain areas with low acoustic intensity, effectively modulating brain excitability and potentially promoting neural plasticity for neurorehabilitation.

The review highlights the excellent safety profile of tFUS, but emphasizes the need for new safety guidelines and recommendations for its use in healthy volunteers and clinical settings, based on a comprehensive analysis of acoustic parameters and their effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety Review and Perspectives of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Brain Stimulation. Lee, W., Weisholtz, DS., Strangman, GE., et al.[2023]

High intensity-focused ultrasound (HIFU) can temporarily and reversibly block nerve conduction in diabetic neuropathic rats without causing nerve damage, suggesting its potential for pain relief.

The study involved creating diabetic neuropathic models in rats and successfully demonstrated the ability of HIFU to suppress action potentials in these nerves, paving the way for future clinical applications in ultrasound-based pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Ultrasonic Tool for Nerve Conduction Block in Diabetic Rat Models. Lee, YF., Lin, CC., Cheng, JS., et al.[2019]

Citations

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Low-Energy Transcranial Navigation-Guided Focused ... Low-energy tcNgFUS could be a safe and noninvasive neuromodulation technique for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.

2. ashpublications.org ashpublications.org/blood/article/144/10/1101/516866/Low-intensity-transcranial-focused-ultrasound

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound suppresses ... We demonstrate that tFUS stimulation at pain-processing brain circuits can significantly alter pain-associated behaviors in mouse models in vivo ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452225003264

Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation and its ... Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (LITUS) has been shown to be a promising neuromodulation treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders.

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Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Alleviates Chronic ... Transcranial ultrasound stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex reduces neuropathic pain in mice. Evidence-Based Complementary and ...

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The efficacy and mechanisms of low-intensity transcranial ... The efficacy and mechanisms of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation on pain: a systematic review of human and animal studies. Hao- ...

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Transcranial MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound: A Review of ... MRI-guided focused ultrasound is a new minimally invasive method of targeted tissue thermal ablation that may be of use to treat central neuropathic pain, ...

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A Comprehensive Review of Low-Intensity Focused ... In this study, we provide a review of the most recent LIFU literature covering three key domains: 1) the history of focused ultrasound technology, ...

8. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17434440.2025.2485289?src=

Transcranial magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ... The authors specifically selected six studies that yielded excellent results, covering aspects such as treatment side effects, pain location, key findings, ...

9. fusfoundation.org fusfoundation.org/for-researchers-and-clinicians/foundation-funded-research-projects/

Foundation Funded Research Projects Will FUS be safe and effective in treating patients with brain tumors? A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Feasibility of Transcranial MRI-Guided Focused ...