The neuroprotective effect of focused ultrasound: New perspectives on an old tool. Author: Yulug B1, Hanoglu L2, Kilic E3 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Neurology, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey; Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center, Experimental Neurology Laboratuary, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Physiology, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: byulug@medipol.edu.tr. <sup>2</sup>Department of Neurology, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey; Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center, Experimental Neurology Laboratuary, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Physiology, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey. <sup>3</sup>Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center, Experimental Neurology Laboratuary, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Physiology, University of Istanbul-Medipol, Istanbul, Turkey. Conference/Journal: Brain Res Bull. Date published: 2017 May Other: Volume ID: 131 , Pages: 199-206 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.04.015. Epub 2017 Apr 27. , Word Count: 198 INTRODUCTION: Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a novel technique that can noninvasively modulate the cortical function. Moreover, there are rapidly replicating evidence suggesting the role of tFUS for targeted neuroprotective drug delivery by increasing the permeability of the central nervous system barrier that results with increased neuroprotective activity. In contrast to the indirect neuroprotective effect, there is rare evidence suggesting the direct parenchymal neuroprotective effect of transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS). In the light of these findings, we aimed to review the direct and indirect neuroprotective effect of FUS in various animal models of Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease and Major Depressive Disorder. METHODS: A literary search was conducted, utilizing search terms "animal", "focused ultrasound", "neuroprotection", "Alzheimer's Disease", "Parkinson's Disease ", "Stroke", "Neurodegenerative disease" and "Major Depressive Disorder". Items were excluded if they failed to: (1) include patients, (2) editorials, and letters. RESULTS: This mini-review article presents an up-to-date review of the neuroprotective effects of tFUS in animal studies and suggests the dual neurotherapeutic role of tFUS in various neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSION: Future well-conducted human studies are emergently needed to assess the neuroprotective effects of FUS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Focused ultrasound; Neurodegenerative disease; Neuroprotection PMID: 28458041 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.04.015