Breaching the blood-brain barrier for the first time

Written by Alice Weatherston

Sunnybrook Health Centre (ON, Canada) scientists have this week revealed a potentially key breakthrough in neurological research. The team utilized focused ultrasound to non-invasively breach the blood-brain barrier of a patient, consequently overcoming one of the key obstacles for the development of therapies for neurological conditions. The procedure was carried out in a brain tumor patient in an effort to deliver chemotherapy to the site more effectively. The chemotherapy drug of choice was infused into the blood and then closely followed by microscopic bubbles capable of flowing through the circulation system due to their small size. MRI-guided focused low-intensity ultrasound...

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