Action of Ultrasound on Nerve Tissue—a Review

Abstract

Physiological and structural changes produced in tissues of the central nervous system by high level ultrasound, and investigations into the physical mechanisms underlying these changes are discussed. The cell bodies of neurons in the central nervous system are particularly susceptible to change by ultrasound. The effect of irradiation is immediately evident as a loss of function which may be reversible or irreversible depending on the dosage. Irreversible changes in function are accompanied by changes in the structure of the cell. The susceptibility of neurons studied so far is graded according to size, the larger neurons exhibiting a greater susceptibility. The dose of ultrasound can be adjusted to cause irreversible changes in neurons without causing any observable damage to the vascular and supporting components of the tissue. This selective and specific effect of ultrasound is being used as a tool in neuroanatomical studies now in progress and has considerable potential value in neurosurgery. The ultrasound alters the state of the nerve cells and, therefore, affords a basis for studying intracellular structure and function. The physical basis for the ultrasonically produced biological effects has been investigated in part. The following aspects of temperature have been analyzed and rejected: (1) High average (space) level, (2) interface heating, (3) rapid time rate of change, (4) temperature changes resulting from cavitation, (5) heating at gas nuclei. The phenomenon of cavitation is also shown to play no essential direct role in producing the effects.