Breaking Barriers: Targeted Brain Delivery Using Focused Ultrasound

Industry: This study is situated in the medical research industry, specifically within the field of neuroscience and medical imaging. It aims to explore new methods for delivering therapeutic molecules to the brain, potentially aiding in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Challenge: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective shield that prevents most molecules from entering the brain, making drug delivery to brain tissues challenging. This study investigates whether focused ultrasound (FUS) can temporarily open the BBB to allow molecules of various sizes to pass through and reach targeted brain regions.

Extraordinary Aspects of the Paper: The paper demonstrates a non-invasive, precise method to temporarily open the BBB and deliver molecules of different sizes to specific brain areas. It uses high-field MRI and fluorescent microscopy to track the distribution and deposition of these molecules, showing that smaller molecules are more uniformly distributed than larger ones. The study also reveals that the BBB re-closes within a day after being opened by FUS.

Equipment & Sensors Used:

GaGe Digitizer: Model 12400, Gage Applied Technologies, Inc. It has a sampling frequency of up to 400 MHz, used for analog to digital data conversion.

FUS Transducer: Single-element spherical segment transducer, 1.525 MHz center frequency, focal depth 90 mm, Riverside Research Institute.

Diagnostic Transducer: 7.5 MHz center frequency, focal length 60 mm, Panametrics.

MRI System: 9.4 Tesla vertical magnet, Bruker Medical.

Microbubbles: SonoVue®, Bracco Diagnostics, Inc., Milan, Italy.

Gadolinium Contrast Agent: Omniscan™, Amersham Health, Oslo, Norway.Amplifier: 50-dB power amplifier, ENI Inc., Rochester, NY, USA.

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