A wind of hope has just blown for the 55 million people affected by Alzheimer’s disease around the world. A new study by Korean researchers highlights the potential of focused ultrasound to treat this devastating condition. Trial results showed that the technology temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, reducing amyloid plaques without the need for drug treatments. The researchers also found a notable reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most widespread and feared neurodegenerative pathologies, begins with an accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques. These deposits result from the interaction between the Tau protein and amyloid peptides, leading to varied symptoms from the onset of the disease, including neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety or irritability. More advanced symptoms include confusion and memory loss.
Traditional treatments for Alzheimer’s primarily aim to relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and improve patients’ quality of life. However, these approaches fail to eradicate amyloid plaques, which are believed to be responsible for the symptoms. New therapies directly targeting these plaques, such as anti-amyloid antibodies, have shown encouraging results, but their effectiveness remains limited.
A complex barrier to overcome
The main challenge lies in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a cellular structure that protects the brain from toxins and pathogens. Although vital, this barrier also restricts the penetration of drugs into brain tissue. Focused ultrasound thus appears to be an innovative solution, making it possible to cross this barrier safely using targeted sound waves, without resorting to invasive surgery or radiation.
-A previous study conducted by Vanderbilt University, Nashville, had already proven that the combined use of focused ultrasound and aducanumab, an anti-amyloid antibody, led to a 32% reduction in amyloid plaques.
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