Potential mechanism and efficacy evaluation of transcranial focused ultrasound therapy for Alzheimer's disease

IF 2.7 4区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Journal of Neuroscience Methods Pub Date : 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2025.110428

Wanqi Qin, Jiayi He, Yi Zhou

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Transcranial focused ultrasound (TFU) is emerging as a promising non-invasive therapy capable of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening. TFU potentially allows the transfer of therapeutic agents to targeted brain areas for patients affected with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

New method

The efficacy and mechanism of TFU in modulating BBB permeability in key brain regions, including the hippocampus and frontal lobe, are investigated in this research. A total of 20 participants aged 60–85 years were involved with AD. The treatment protocol involved three TFU sessions, spaced three weeks apart. The research encompasses pre-assessment and post-assessment of treatment with follow-up ranging from 5 to 12 months.

Results

Statistical analysis involved paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-treatment cognitive scores, and ANOVA to predict significant differences in amyloid reduction across different brain regions, with the high decrease observed in the hippocampus. Multivariate Analysis (MANOVA) to explore the combined effect of cognitive and amyloid data. Linear Regression Analysis to predict cognitive improvement from amyloid plaque reduction. Longitudinal analysis for time-to-event analysis assessing the durability of effects over time.

Comparison with existing methods

Florbetaben Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans demonstrated a reduction in β-amyloid plaque burden, with a 15 % average decrease in the treated brain regions. No adverse effects on disease progression were observed up to 1 year after treatment.

Conclusion

This analysis presents the largest cohort of AD patients treated with TFU, with the longest follow-up to date. The treatment demonstrated safety and feasibility, with reversible BBB opening in multiple brain regions.

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经颅聚焦超声治疗阿尔茨海默病的潜在机制及疗效评价。

背景：经颅聚焦超声（TFU）是一种有前景的无创治疗血脑屏障（BBB）打开。TFU有可能使治疗药物转移到阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者的目标脑区。新方法：本研究探讨TFU对海马、额叶等脑关键区域血脑屏障通透性的调节作用及其机制。共有20名年龄在60-85岁之间的参与者患有AD。治疗方案包括三个TFU疗程，间隔三周。该研究包括治疗前评估和治疗后评估，随访时间为5至12个月。结果：统计分析包括配对t检验来比较治疗前和治疗后的认知评分，方差分析来预测不同大脑区域淀粉样蛋白减少的显著差异，海马区观察到淀粉样蛋白减少的显著性。多变量分析（MANOVA）探讨认知和淀粉样蛋白数据的联合效应。线性回归分析预测淀粉样斑块减少带来的认知改善。纵向分析的时间到事件分析，评估随着时间的推移，影响的持久性。与现有方法的比较：Florbetaben正电子发射断层扫描（PET）显示β-淀粉样斑块负担减少，在治疗的大脑区域平均减少15%。治疗后1年未观察到对疾病进展的不良影响。结论：该分析提供了最大的TFU治疗AD患者队列，迄今为止随访时间最长。治疗证明了安全性和可行性，在多个脑区出现可逆的血脑屏障打开。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Neuroscience Methods 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

3.30%

发文量

226

审稿时长

52 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Neuroscience Methods publishes papers that describe new methods that are specifically for neuroscience research conducted in invertebrates, vertebrates or in man. Major methodological improvements or important refinements of established neuroscience methods are also considered for publication. The Journal''s Scope includes all aspects of contemporary neuroscience research, including anatomical, behavioural, biochemical, cellular, computational, molecular, invasive and non-invasive imaging, optogenetic, and physiological research investigations.