Transcranial in-depth ultrafast ultrasound brain imaging in non-human primates

Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) offers sub-diffraction resolution vascular imaging by tracking individual contrast microbubbles. However, transcranial implementation in non-human primates remains challenging due to the skull’s acoustic attenuation and distortion. This study presents a method for non-invasive transcranial ULM imaging of the anesthetized squirrel monkey through intact skull and skin. We systematically evaluated key ultrasound acquisition parameters and identified an optimal configuration balancing resolution, depth, and vascular representation. Using these refined parameters, we achieved a system resolution of 9.5 µm, measured by Fourier Ring Correlation (FRC), and consistently visualized vessels as small as 23 µm. Full-brain coronal and sagittal acquisitions revealed major vascular landmarks that were reproducible across animals and slices. Importantly, this resolution enables reliable detection of penetrating arterioles and venules, key elements in neurovascular coupling and implicated in various cerebrovascular pathologies. Finally, by tracking microbubbles, we quantified flow velocities from 8.8 to 55 mm/s, corresponding to flow rates ranging from 0.1 to 279 µL/min, demonstrating the technique’s ability to access micro- and macrovascular dynamics. This work establishes a framework for high-resolution, non-invasive brain imaging in non-human primates, and opens promising perspectives for studying cerebral structure, function, and dysfunction in translational neuroscience.