Systems and techniques for ultrasound neuroprotection

2:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the method further comprises selecting one or more ultrasound parameter values for the ultrasound parameters that at least partially define delivery of ultrasound energy focused to the targeted region of the brain of the patient that reduces or prevents neural degeneration within the selection region of the brain.

4:

• The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the one or more ultrasound transducers on an external surface of a head of the patient to focus the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducers to the targeted region of the brain of the patient.

5:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the targeted region of the brain comprises at least a part of the selected region of the brain.

6:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the targeted region of the brain comprises first neurons that affect second neurons within the selected region of the brain, the targeted region of the brain being distinct from the selected region of the brain.

7:

• The method of claim 6, wherein the targeted region of the brain is superficial to the selected region of the brain.

8:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more ultrasound transducers comprise an array of ultrasound transducers positionable at respective locations on an external surface of a head of the patient.

9:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the ultrasound energy is configured to be below a perception threshold at which the patient perceives delivery of the ultrasound energy and below an activation threshold at which neurons within the selected region of the brain are activated.

10:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound parameters are selected to generate ultrasound energy configured to reduce neural degeneration associated with at least one of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, tremor, and dystonia.

11:

• The method of claim 1, wherein delivering ultrasound energy comprises delivering, from at least two of the one or more ultrasound transducers stereotactically positioned on an external surface of a head of the patient, ultrasound energy focused to the targeted region of the brain of the patient.

13:

• The system of claim 12, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the processor is configured to select one or more ultrasound parameters values for the ultrasound parameters that at least partially define delivery of ultrasound energy focused to the targeted region of the brain of the patient.

15:

• The system of claim 12, further comprising a wearable head device comprising a housing and the one or more ultrasound transducers mounted within the housing, wherein the wearable head device is configured to position the one or more ultrasound transducers on an external surface of a head of the patient to focus the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducers to the targeted region of the brain of the patient.

16:

• The system of claim 12, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the targeted region of the brain comprises at least a portion of the selected region of the brain.

17:

• The system of claim 12, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the targeted region of the brain comprises first neurons that affect second neurons within the selected region of the brain, the targeted region of the brain being distinct from the selected region of the brain.

18:

• The system of claim 12, wherein the portion of the brain comprises a selected region of the brain, and wherein the ultrasound module is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy below a perception threshold at which the patient perceives delivery of the ultrasound energy and below an activation threshold at which neurons within the selected region of the brain are activated.

19:

• The system of claim 12, wherein the ultrasound parameters are selected to generate ultrasound energy configured to reduce neural degeneration associated with at least one of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, tremor, and dystonia.

21:

• The system of claim 20, further comprising means for positioning one or more ultrasound transducers on an external surface of a head of the patient to focus the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducers to the targeted region of the brain of the patient.