An experimental treatment by neuroscientist Dr. Ali Rezai is showing promising progress in combating Alzheimer’s.
The new approach could revolutionize treatment by offering an alternative to often invasive procedures.
Rezai is well-known for his pioneering work in Parkinson’s disease and other disorders. Now, the renowned neuroscientist has developed an innovative approach that leverages ultrasound to tackle Alzheimer’s, as reported by CBS News Texas.
Rezai’s protocol contrasts with traditional brain surgery, which entails cutting and opening the patient’s skull. The non-invasive method being tested by Rezai addresses the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain, thought to be a significant contributor to Alzheimer’s by disrupting neuronal communication.
To help treat Alzheimer’s, Aducanumab and Lecanemab, both FDA-approved drugs, are administered to the patient to help break down plaque in the brain. However, it can be challenging for these drugs to penetrate the brain because of the blood-brain barrier. With Rezai’s solution, ultrasound is used to open this barrier gently and precisely. This permits the drug to enter the intended area more effectively.
As part of the experiment, patients are fitted with a specialized helmet capable of focusing ultrasound beams to the correct location in the brain. They are also administered IV treatments of plaque-reducing drugs. The procedure is typically completed over several months.
Rezai explained the benefit of the new ultrasound technique to CBS, “This way we’re getting the payload– the therapeutic payload exactly to the area it needs to go with a high penetration. But we gotta be careful because we wanna be safe about this. You don’t wanna deliver too much. Don’t wanna open the blood-brain barrier too much.”
So far, the team conducting the study says the procedure has been effective at significantly reducing beta-amyloid plaque compared to drugs alone. Not only that, but the ultrasound technique has also proven successful in treating other conditions, like addiction.
