Science to practice: opening the blood-brain barrier with focused ultrasound-a potential treatment for Alzheimer disease?

Authors: Jolesz FA

Burgess et al ( 1 ) present intriguing results of repetitive transient opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a transgenic mouse model of advanced Alzheimer disease (AD). The results underscore the potential of using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided focused ultrasound and microbubble ultrasonography (US) contrast agents for the disruption of the BBB as a potential long-term therapy to reduce amyloid plaque burden and improve cognitive performance. This daring conclusion that is based on an experimental animal model should now be confirmed in humans. Considering that the technology is commercially available and given the immense clinical need, clinical trials in this AD treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery with BBB opening

Study Objective To evaluate focused ultrasound-mediated opening of the blood-brain barrier as a potential treatment for Alzheimer disease.

Disease model Alzheimer disease

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Focused ultrasound-mediated transient opening of the blood–brain barrier facilitates delivery/clearance of amyloid and is associated with potential cognitive benefit in Alzheimer’s disease models; the paper does not report or compare specific focused ultrasound parameter sets.

Safety-related matter The provided excerpt contains only the article title and does not mention any safety information or adverse effects.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics focal depth: None; focal length: None; aperture size: None

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