Focused ultrasound for opening blood-brain barrier and drug delivery monitored with positron emission tomography
Wejdan M. Arif, Philip H. Elsinga, Carmen Gasca‐Salas, Michel Versluis, Raúl Martínez‐Fernández, Rudi Dierckx, Ronald Borra, Gert Luurtsema
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a minimally-invasive technology used for treatment of many diseases, including diseases related to the colon, uterus, prostate, and brain. Although it has been mainly used for ablative procedures, the ability of FUS to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a promising new application. However, the mechanism of BBB opening by FUS remains unclear. This review focuses on the use of FUS to open the BBB for enhancing drug delivery and investigating how Positron Emission Tomography (PET) provides insight into the underlying mechanism.
Topics & Concepts
Positron emission tomographyBlood–brain barrierDrug deliveryMedicineMechanism (biology)RadiologyCentral nervous systemInternal medicineNanotechnologyMaterials scienceEpistemologyPhilosophyUltrasound and Hyperthermia ApplicationsUltrasound Imaging and ElastographyUltrasound and Cavitation Phenomena