Focused ultrasound can be used as a non-invasive method to disrupt the blood-brain barrier in a targeted, localized, and safe manner. This technology allows for targeted delivery of drugs into the brain for treatment and research applications. While FUS-induced BBB opening has been shown to be safe, there is evidence that it modulates neuronal activity and/or vascular hemodynamics. This study uses resting state fMRI data from rats to investigate these effects. We find that FUS BBB opening targeted to the primary somatosensory cortex reduces local functional connectivity in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortical areas and in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex.
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