Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (12): 3501-3516.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00841

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Potential of ultrasound stimulation and sonogenetics in vision restoration: a narrative review

Jie Ji1, #, Chen Gong1, 2, #, Gengxi Lu1, 2, Junhang Zhang1, 2, Baoqiang Liu1 , Xunan Liu1 , Junhao Lin3 , Patrick Wang4 , Biju B. Thomas2 , Mark S. Humayun1, 2, Qifa Zhou1, 2, *   

  1. 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;  2 USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;  3 Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;  4 Harvard Westlake School, Studio City, CA, USA
  • Online:2025-12-15 Published:2025-03-13
  • Contact: Qifa Zhou, PhD, qifazhou@usc.edu.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by R01EY032229 (Biomechanical Mapping of the Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Sclera Using High Frequency Ultrasonic Elastography), R01EY028662 (High-resolution Elastographic Assessment of the Optic Nerve Head), and R01EY030126 (Non-invasive Ultrasound Stimulated Retinal Prosthesis) (to QZ), Unrestricted Grant to the Department of Ophthalmology from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY (to MSH), and the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30EY029220 (to MSH). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Abstract: Vision restoration presents a considerable challenge in the realm of regenerative medicine, while recent progress in ultrasound stimulation has displayed potential as a non-invasive therapeutic approach. This narrative review offers a comprehensive overview of current research on ultrasound-stimulated neuromodulation, emphasizing its potential as a treatment modality for various nerve injuries. By examining of the efficacy of different types of ultrasound stimulation in modulating peripheral and optic nerves, we can delve into their underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, the review underscores the potential of sonogenetics in vision restoration, which involves leveraging pharmacological and genetic manipulations to inhibit or enhance the expression of related mechanosensitive channels, thereby modulating the strength of the ultrasound response. We also address how methods such as viral transcription can be utilized to render specific neurons or organs highly responsive to ultrasound, leading to significantly improved therapeutic outcomes.

Key words: neuromodulation, non-invasive, optic nerve injury, retinal degeneration, sonogenetics, ultrasound stimulation, visual restoration