ITRUSST consensus on standardised reporting for transcranial ultrasound stimulation

• Published in: Brain stimulation Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 607 - 615
• Main Authors: Martin, Eleanor, Aubry, Jean-François, Schafer, Mark, Verhagen, Lennart, Treeby, Bradley, Pauly, Kim Butts
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Standardised reporting; Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation; Transcranial ultrasound stimulation; TUS; Transcranial ultrasound stimulation; Standardised reporting; TUS; Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation
• ISSN: 1935-861X; 1876-4754; 1876-4754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.04.013

As transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) advances as a precise, non-invasive neuromodulatory method, there is a need for consistent reporting standards to enable comparison and reproducibility across studies. To this end, the International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards Consortium (ITRUSST) formed a subcommittee of experts across several domains to review and suggest standardised reporting parameters for low intensity TUS, resulting in the guide presented here. The scope of the guide is limited to reporting the ultrasound aspects of a study. The guide and supplementary material provide a simple checklist covering the reporting of: (1) the transducer and drive system, (2) the drive system settings, (3) the free field acoustic parameters, (4) the pulse timing parameters, (5) in situ estimates of exposure parameters in the brain, and (6) intensity parameters. Detailed explanations for each of the parameters, including discussions on assumptions, measurements, and calculations, are also provided. •The ITRUSST Subcommittee was formed to create consistent TUS reporting standards.•The transducer and drive system configurations, settings and parameters should be reported.•Fundamental parameters include free field acoustic pressure and pulse timing parameters.•Derived parameters include in situ estimates of exposure parameters and intensity parameters.•Consistent reporting standards will enable comparison and reproducibility across studies.