What does "Functional Ultrasound Imaging" mean?
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Functional ultrasound imaging (fUS) is a method that helps to see what happens inside the brain by looking at changes in blood flow. When brain cells are active, they need more blood, and fUS can detect these changes without needing any surgery.
How It Works
fUS uses sound waves to create pictures of the brain. These sound waves bounce off different parts of the brain and return to the machine, which makes images. This technique is helpful because it can show both the structure and the activity happening in the brain at the same time.
Applications
Researchers use fUS to learn more about how the brain works and how it responds to different activities. It can also help in finding out how brain diseases affect blood flow and brain function. This information is valuable for diagnosing issues and monitoring treatments.
Benefits
One of the great things about fUS is that it is non-invasive, meaning it does not require any cuts or surgery. This makes it safer for studying living animals, like mice, and possibly for future human applications. The technology is still developing, and scientists are excited about its potential.