Low-Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation Improves Motor Behavior and Modulates Cortical Functional Network Connectivity in Mice with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

The recovery of motor function in patients with ischemic stroke is closely related to the plastic remodeling of cortical functional networks. Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has been shown to improve motor behavior in patients with ischemic stroke and modulate cortical functional networks in healthy individuals. However, whether motor improvement after TUS is associated with cortical functional network reorganization remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we constructed a mouse model of ischemic stroke using male C57BL/6 mice and simultaneously recorded the local field potential and gait behavior data of the whole-brain cortex of mice in a free-walking state before and after ultrasound intervention. Gait parameters, cortical functional network connectivity (CFNC), and topology were systematically analyzed, and the correlations between behavioral indicators and network connectivity were explored. Our findings revealed that TUS significantly improved motor function in the mouse model, modulated CFNC to restore it to a healthy state, enhanced global information integration ability, optimized local separation efficiency, and restored gait phase transition control. Furthermore, the TUS-induced changes in the cortical functional network were positively correlated with behavioral improvement. This study confirmed that motor improvement after low-intensity TUS is accompanied by cortical functional network reorganization and that such reorganization may contribute to post-stroke functional recovery.