Page 7 - BB Neuromedicine Highlights 2019

drug delivery is done more pre-
cisely to other body tumors.
This again enhances treatment
effects and reduces potential
side effects especially if drugs are
contained within microbubbles. In
addition, focused ultrasound can
target tumors and cause damage
to them through targeted heating
mechanisms.
These are some of the likely
uses of this innovative therapy
moving forward.

addiTional Brain TreaT-
menT opporTuniTies For
The FuTure
The current research involving
microbubbles is quite excit-
disrupts the blood-brain barrier. Award for the best new medical In terms of neuromedicine, ing. But additional research is
This allows both natural immune device in 2017. microbubbles have the potential exploring additional uses of this
mechanisms and medications the Because the brain is inside a to effectively help many brain-re- technology. Specifically, genetic
opportunity to treat a variety of bony skull, prior attempts to use lated conditions. For example, therapies are being explored
brain conditions. focused ultrasound has been MRI-guided focused ultrasound for brain disorders with the use
The way microbubbles work is met with difficulty. However, has already been used to help of microbubbles and focused
by causing a brief disruption of Insightec’s focused ultrasound individuals with tremor. Likewise, ultrasound.
cellular membranes and junctions “helmet” offers 1024 ultrasound it is currently being used to treat Viruses equipped with genetic
between cells. Because focused waves that are able to extend malignant brain cancers like glio- material might get through the
ultrasound can target such a small past skull barriers. And with the blastoma. More recent trials are blood-brain barrier and provide
area (within in a cubic millimeter), addition of microbubbles, both ul- ongoing for its use in Parkinson’s genetically flawed cells provides A
its effect is very precise. And the trasound effects and medications disease and Alzheimer’s demen- therapies. The treatment provides
microbubbles respond to this can reach specific targets for care. tia. a possible means by which this
focused ultrasound by “jiggling” Outside the nervous system, could occur. Certainly, this is one
and causing disruptions in the The Broad poTenTial oF microbubbles and focused ultra- innovative technology worth
blood-brain barrier. Because of miCroBuBBles and Fo- sound have great potential as watching in regards to the future
this, the combination of micro- Cused ulTrasound well. For example, chemotherapy of neuromedicine.
bubbles and focused ultrasound
can provide brain treatments in a
very pinpoint manner.
insighTeC and iTs ConTri-
BuTion To FoCused ulTra-
sound Therapy
Based in Israel, Insightec now
has treatment centers for its
therapy in four continents. Its
MRI-guided, focused ultrasound
has been used to treat various
cancers in the body, as well as
uterine fibroids. But its major
breakthrough came with a helmet
called Exablate Neuro.
In fact, Insightec received the
prestigious Galien Foundation