Scientists have made a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research, finding a way to enhance the penetration of Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain by temporarily breaching its protective shield. The experiment, conducted on three patients, showed promising results, with the new technology enhancing the removal of brain-clogging plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The blood-brain barrier, a protective lining in blood vessels, serves as a barrier against harmful substances entering the brain. However, this barrier also prevents drugs from effectively treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s. The new technology, called focused ultrasound, involves injecting microscopic bubbles into the bloodstream and using sound waves to create temporary openings in the blood-brain barrier. This allows medications to pass through and target specific areas of the brain.
Previous studies have shown that focused ultrasound can safely create temporary openings that seal up within 48 hours. In this latest study, researchers administered an Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm to three patients with mild Alzheimer’s. They then used focused ultrasound to target specific amyloid-clogged parts of the brain, opening the blood-brain barrier and allowing more of the medication to reach those areas.
PET scans conducted before and after the six-month medication period showed a 32% greater reduction in brain plaque in the regions where the blood-brain barrier was breached, compared to the opposite side of the brain. While the study is too small to draw definitive conclusions, experts find the results exciting and believe that larger studies should be conducted to further explore the combination of focused ultrasound with Alzheimer’s drugs.
Dr. Eliezer Masliah of the National Institute on Aging warns of the need to closely monitor potential side effects of these new drugs, such as bleeding and swelling in the brain. However, researchers are optimistic about the potential of breaching the blood-brain barrier to allow more effective treatment not only for Alzheimer’s but also for other diseases, including brain tumors.
Overall, this breakthrough study provides hope for faster and more targeted treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to validate these findings and determine the long-term effects and safety of the approach.
