# Leveraging transcranial ultrasound stimulation to enhance self-regulation in emotion and sleep

**Authors:** Suraya Dunsford, Mica Komarnyckyj, Elsa Fouragnan

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1594106 · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · 2025-12-19

## TL;DR

This paper explores how transcranial ultrasound stimulation could help healthy people better regulate emotions and sleep through non-invasive brain stimulation.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel integration of TUS with neurofeedback and cognitive training for enhancing self-regulation.

## Key findings

- TUS can target brain regions with high precision to influence self-regulation.
- Combining TUS with neurofeedback may prolong its beneficial effects on mental health.
- TUS-based interventions show promise for improving sleep and emotional resilience in non-clinical populations.

## Abstract

This Perspective article discusses the emerging potential of transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique for enhancing self-regulatory processes, particularly emotion and sleep regulation, in healthy individuals. Offering high spatial precision and the ability to target both cortical and deep brain regions, TUS uses focused ultrasound waves to induce acute and delayed effects on brain activity. We propose that combining TUS with neurofeedback methods and/or specific cognitive training exercises may capitalise on these neuroplastic effects, thereby augmenting and prolonging their impact to support lasting improvements in self-regulation. We focus on the domains of sleep and emotion regulation, where such an integrated approach may strengthen resilience and promote healthier functioning in the general population. Our aim is to highlight the potential of TUS-based integrated interventions for supporting mental health and well-being in non-clinical populations and to outline key directions for future research.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** PKD2 (polycystin 2, transient receptor potential cation channel) [NCBI Gene 5311] {aka APKD2, PC2, PKD4, Pc-2, TRPP2}, KCNK4 (potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 4) [NCBI Gene 50801] {aka FHEIG, K2p4.1, TRAAK, TRAAK1}, PKD1 (polycystin 1, transient receptor potential channel interacting) [NCBI Gene 5310] {aka PBP, PC1, Pc-1, TRPP1, eliosin}, PIEZO1 (piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Er blood group)) [NCBI Gene 9780] {aka DHS, ER, FAM38A, LMPH3, LMPHM6, Mib}, CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator) [NCBI Gene 1080] {aka ABC35, ABCC7, CF, CFTR/MRP, MRP7, TNR-CFTR}, BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) [NCBI Gene 627] {aka ANON2, BULN2}
- **Diseases:** mental health difficulties (OMIM:603663), psychological disorders (MESH:D000067073), TUS (MESH:D007037), neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders (MESH:D009422), impulsivity (MESH:D007174), depression (MESH:D003866), personality (MESH:D010554), eating disorders (MESH:D001068), bipolar (MESH:D001714), use (MESH:D019966), psychiatric (MESH:D001523), Insomnia (MESH:D007319), anxiety (MESH:D001007), Poor sleep (MESH:D012893), emotion dysregulation (MESH:D021081), mood (MESH:D019964)
- **Chemicals:** Mirtazapine (MESH:D000078785), Pregabalin (MESH:D000069583), NIBS (-), sodium (MESH:D012964), Gabapentin (MESH:D000077206), dopamine (MESH:D004298), serotonin (MESH:D012701), Trazodone (MESH:D014196)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12757362/full.md

## References

135 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12757362/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12757362