A research team led by Associate Professor Hong Chen at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a noninvasive method to induce a torpor-like state in mammals using ultrasound to stimulate the brain’s hypothalamus preoptic area. Published in Nature Metabolism, this technique effectively lowers body temperature and metabolic rate in mice and rats, potentially aiding scenarios such as space travel or treatment for critically ill patients by conserving energy.
The team utilized a wearable ultrasound transducer to lower the body temperature of mice by about 3 degrees Celsius for up to an hour, causing metabolic changes that mirror natural torpor. Notably, this method was successfully applied to a rat, an animal that does not typically enter torpor, further demonstrating its versatility. They found that ultrasound activation increased neuronal activity in the hypothalamus, and identified the TRPM2 ion channel as crucial in this process.
The technique has been termed ultrasound-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism (UIH). By implementing a closed-loop feedback system, the researchers maintained controlled hypothermia for extended periods. This groundbreaking method represents a significant advancement in neuroscience and has the potential for various medical applications.
