June 2018 Research Roundup

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This month, scientists who study focused ultrasound are making progress in brain applications and tumor treatment. In the brain, researchers are elucidating the mechanisms behind how focused ultrasound might be repairing cognitive function in mice with dementia. Others are working to expand our capabilities for monitoring the focused ultrasound procedure to open the blood-brain barrier. With tumor treatment, a Taiwanese group seeks to improve drug delivery to tumors by manipulating the ultrasound parameters.

Research RoundupWhole-brain low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy markedly improves cognitive dysfunctions in mouse models of dementia – Crucial roles of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.
A collaborative group of scientists at Tohoku University in Japan attempted to determine the underlying biochemical pathway responsible for the neuroprotective effects on dementia. Their study comparing two mice models found a clue in the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). See Brain Stimulation >

Efficient Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Primates with Neuronavigation-guided Ultrasound and Real-Time Acoustic Mapping.
Elisa Konogagau and her team at Columbia University have developed a novel neuronavigation-based focused ultrasound monitoring system that could enable rapid clinical transcranial focused ultrasound applications outside of the MRI system without a stereotactic frame, thereby benefiting patients (especially in the elderly population.) See Scientific Reports >

Spatially Uniform Tumor Treatment and Drug Penetration by Regulating Ultrasound with Microbubbles.
Researchers at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan are exploring focused ultrasound parameters for improving drug delivery and penetration within a tumor. Could improving the spatial uniformity of the antivascular effect and drug penetration within the tumor core improve the environment, and efficacy, of ultrasound-stimulated microbubble destruction? See ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces >