Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia have developed a new device that combines ultrasound and advanced imaging to facilitate drug delivery into the brain safely.
Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan from UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute noted that the device enables observation of individual cells post-ultrasound treatment in real time, which is pivotal for drug delivery past the blood-brain barrier.
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The university noted that the device focuses on examining sonoporation-based drug delivery, a strategy that involves ultrasound-based treatment and injected microbubbles.
During this process, sound waves engage with the microbubbles, prompting them to vibrate and apply force on the blood-brain barrier, which results in the formation of a small pore on the surface of the cell.
The device’s development spanned five years and aims to enable researchers to detect and map the changes in the treated cells and monitor their response.
Understanding the response and change of treated cells could significantly impact the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
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By GlobalDataDr Padmanabhan said: “This device will enable scientists to understand how ultrasound-based treatments work at the single-molecule and single-cell levels.
“It has the potential to improve treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, where drugs target specific areas of the brain. The goal is really to improve the rate of uptake of drugs into the brain, as currently only about 1% to 2% of small-molecule drugs actually reach it. The results could also help inform treatment in other medical fields where sonoporation shows great promise, including cardiology and oncology.’’
UQ previously announced the creation of a wireless neurostimulator aimed at treating neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s and chronic depression. This project saw collaboration between the Queensland Brain Institute, Neurosciences Queensland and Abbott Neuromodulation, focusing on a remote care platform.
