Page 6 - BB Neuromedicine Highlights 2019
P. 6
shaking up
Neuromedicine
Options For
Brain Disease
In the U.S. today, nearly six million people
suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. More than From conditions like Par- solving major neuro-
80,000 are also diagnosed with primary brain kinson’s disease to malignant mediCine Challenges
cancer each year with one-third of those being brain cancer, microbubbles wiTh miCroBuBBles ul-
Trasound
and focused ultrasound offer
malignant. In addition to challenges in finding great promise. In fact, one In treating brain disorders,
effective treatments, getting medicines to bold business, Insightec, could there is one major obstacle in
revolutionize many neuromedi-
the way. The blood-brain barrier
these areas of the brain is challenging. Failure cine fields with its microbubbles normally serves to protect our
to reach a specific target is often associated and focused ultrasound system. brain from circulating toxins
and chemicals. But when a brain
Numerous trials are now ongo-
with both poor responses and toxic side ef- ing for several neuromedicine disorder exists, and treatment
fects. However, one new therapy, microbub- conditions using this technique. needs to target the brain, this
barrier prevents effective care.
Not only are microbubbles and
bles, and focused ultrasound offer new hope focused ultrasound minimally However, researchers have found
for an array of brain disease treatment. invasive, but it also lacks signifi- that the use of microbubbles and
focused ultrasound temporarily
cant side effects.
