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Preclinical Research on Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Neurological Disorders: A Review.

Authors: Kong C, Chang WS

Several therapeutic agents for neurological disorders are usually not delivered to the brain owing to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a special structure present in the central nervous system (CNS). Focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with microbubbles can reversibly and temporarily open the BBB, enabling the application of various therapeutic agents in patients with neurological disorders. In the past 20 years, many preclinical studies on drug delivery through FUS-mediated BBB opening have been conducted, and the use of this method in clinical applications has recently gained popularity. As the clinical application of FUS-mediated BBB opening expands, it is crucial to understand the molecular and cellular effects of FUS-induced microenvironmental changes in the brain so that the efficacy of treatment can be ensured, and new treatment strategies established. This review describes the latest research trends in FUS-mediated BBB opening, including the biological effects and applications in representative neurological disorders, and suggests future directions.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery with BBB opening
Study Objective To review recent research on focused ultrasound-mediated blood–brain barrier opening, summarizing its molecular and cellular effects, clinical applications in neurological disorders, and future directions.

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Focused ultrasound combined with microbubbles reversibly and transiently opens the blood–brain barrier, enabling delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS and inducing molecular and cellular microenvironmental changes relevant to efficacy and safety; the review did not report experimental testing of specific FUS parameter sets.
Safety-related matter No adverse effects are mentioned; the text states focused ultrasound with microbubbles can reversibly and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, but no safety concerns or adverse events are reported in the provided excerpt.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

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

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