by Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking method to enhance the delivery of Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain by breaching the protective barrier. In a pioneering experiment involving three patients, the scientists demonstrated that their new technology increased the removal of the brain-clogging plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by Dr. Ali Rezai from the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University, aims to expedite the effectiveness of new Alzheimer’s treatments, which typically require an extended period to take effect.
The blood-brain barrier is a natural protective lining found in blood vessels that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. However, this barrier also hinders the delivery of drugs for various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s. To overcome this obstacle, scientists have employed focused ultrasound technology to create temporary openings in the blood-brain barrier. They inject microscopic bubbles into the bloodstream and direct sound waves to a targeted area of the brain using a helmet-like device. The energy from the sound waves causes the microbubbles to vibrate, temporarily opening gaps in the barrier and allowing medications to pass through. Previous studies have shown that this technology can safely create small holes that close up within 48 hours. However, Rezai’s team went a step further by simultaneously administering an Alzheimer’s drug during the procedure.
Traditionally, new Alzheimer’s drugs aim to slow the progression of the disease by clearing beta-amyloid, a sticky protein that accumulates in certain regions of the brain. However, these drugs require regular intravenous infusions over an extended period of at least 18 months. To address this limitation, Rezai aimed to target plaques within a shorter timeframe. As part of the proof-of-concept study, three patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease received monthly doses of Aduhelm, a new Alzheimer’s drug, for six months. Following each intravenous treatment, focused ultrasound was applied to specific amyloid-clogged areas of the patients’ brains to breach the blood-brain barrier and allow a greater quantity of the drug to reach the targeted region.
PET scans conducted before and after the six-month medication period revealed a 32% reduction in plaque in regions where the blood-brain barrier was breached compared to the opposite side of the brain. However, Dr. Eliezer Masliah of the National Institute on Aging cautioned that the study’s small sample size limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Nonetheless, Masliah described the findings as “exciting” and “compelling,” noting that they pave the way for larger studies.
Rezai is set to conduct another small-scale trial involving a different but more established drug called Leqembi. Ultimately, extensive studies will be required to determine if combining focused ultrasound with Alzheimer’s drugs leads to meaningful improvements in patients. It is also crucial to closely monitor any potential side effects, such as bleeding and swelling in the brain, which may arise from accelerated plaque reduction.
The potential applications of breaching the blood-brain barrier extend beyond Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are exploring whether this technique could enable more effective delivery of chemotherapy to brain tumors and provide targeted treatments for other neurological conditions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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