The anti-inflammatory scan: current insights and future perspectives on therapeutic splenic ultrasonography

Recent discoveries have identified that physiological anti-inflammatory reflexes are triggered by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which offers neuromodulation- performed via implantable or transcutaneous devices-potential therapeutic opportunities. A novel, noninvasive technique using spleen-targeted focused ultrasound stimulation (sFUS) can replicate these effects by triggering the vagus nerve, opening new possibilities for immunomodulation. Early findings suggest that sFUS may evolve into a therapeutic tool to modulate inflammatory responses across a number of diseases. This short communication presents preclinical evidence of efficacy in diverse models of inflammation, discusses the mechanisms underlying sFUS, explores potential translational steps into human application and discusses future directions.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Ultrasound Journal
Published
2025-09-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13089-025-00446-0
Primary Topic
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

The anti-inflammatory scan: current insights and future perspectives on therapeutic splenic ultrasonography

Pierpaolo Di Nicolò, Francesco Corradi
The Ultrasound Journal
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
article

The anti-inflammatory scan: current insights and future perspectives on therapeutic splenic ultrasonography

Pierpaolo Di Nicolò, Francesco Corradi
article en

Abstract

Recent discoveries have identified that physiological anti-inflammatory reflexes are triggered by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which offers neuromodulation- performed via implantable or transcutaneous devices-potential therapeutic opportunities. A novel, noninvasive technique using spleen-targeted focused ultrasound stimulation (sFUS) can replicate these effects by triggering the vagus nerve, opening new possibilities for immunomodulation. Early findings suggest that sFUS may evolve into a therapeutic tool to modulate inflammatory responses across a number of diseases. This short communication presents preclinical evidence of efficacy in diverse models of inflammation, discusses the mechanisms underlying sFUS, explores potential translational steps into human application and discusses future directions.

The Ultrasound JournalVol. 17(1)
University of Pisa (IT), Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Della Romagna (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
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