1000 Section - Enhancement of Glymphatic Function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice by Very Low Intensity Ultrasound

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

WL

Wei-Hao Liao, PhD

Postdoc
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Ming-Yen Hsiao, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
National Taiwan University College of Medicine
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
WC

Wei-Chun Chien, MS

Research assistant
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
LT

Li-Kai Tsai, MD, PhD

Professor
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Meng-Ting Lin, MD, PhD

Attending physician / Assistant professor
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
WC

Wen-Shiang Chen, MD, PhD

Professor
National Taiwan University College of Medicine
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

Chueh-Hung Wu, MD, PhD (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
National Taiwan University College of Medicine
Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Objectives : This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of very low intensity ultrasound (VLIUS) on the glymphatic system in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice.

Design: We employed a controlled study design using SOD1-G93A transgenic mice. Tracer was injected into cisterna magna (for influx evaluation) or striatum (for efflux evaluation). After injection, mice were immediately treated with VLIUS (frequency: 1 MHz, duty factor = 1 %, I_spta = 3.68 mW/cm²) for 5 minutes. Glymphatic function was evaluated using real-time macroscopy and fluorescence intensity in brain section and deep cervical lymph nodes.

Results: ALS mice demonstrated significantly reduced glymphatic influx compared to wild-type controls. Post-treatment, VLIUS-treated ALS mice exhibited an improvement in glymphatic influx, approaching levels observed in controls. In ALS mice, glymphatic efflux (to deep cervical lymph nodes) remained similar or increased, which can be further enhanced by VLIUS. These findings suggest that VLIUS may facilitate enhanced clearance of metabolic waste in the ALS-affected brain.

Conclusion: VLIUS represents a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach to modulate glymphatic function and potentially mitigate neurodegenerative processes in ALS. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and long-term benefits of this treatment modality.