Focused ultrasound as a non-invasive method with therapeutic potential in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by abnormal deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Despite the fact that biomarkers and methods of treating AD are currently being actively studied, there is still no therapy that can significantly reduce the progression of this disease. Therefore, the search for therapeutic disease-modifying strategies is becoming increasingly popular. One such strategy is the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) under MRI guidance using a contrast agent (microbubbles). Under the influence of low-intensity FUS, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is temporarily opened, which is the main obstacle to the effective delivery of therapeutic compounds to the brain, imposing dimensional and biochemical restrictions on the passage of molecules. One of the processes associated with AD is BBB dysfunction, and therefore the study of the effects of FUS in patients with AD is of interest. The literature data show the effectiveness of FUS in animal models of AD. The researchers attribute the effectiveness of the method to the fact that exposure to FUS induces the opening of BBB and reduces the number of amyloid plaques. It has also been demonstrated that FUS can facilitate the delivery of therapeutic drugs to the brain. This allows considering FUS as a new non-invasive method of treatment. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of this method in patients with AD.

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease

focused ultrasound

blood-brain barrier

beta-amyloid

tau-protein

treatment

Authors:

Kovalenko E.A.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies

ORCID: 0000-0003-0828-9868

Makhnovich E.V.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies

ORCID: 0000-0002-8606-5715

Osinovskaya N.A.

Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies

ORCID: 0000-0003-2313-571X

Bogolepova A.N.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the Federal Medical Biological Agency

SPIN RSCI: 6775-0279
Scopus AuthorID: 6602240836
ORCID: 0000-0002-6327-3546

Received:

19.04.2022

Accepted:

20.04.2022

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