Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, characterized by dementia and loss of brain function due to the build-up of B-amyloid plaques and tau protein bundles. Currently available treatments for symptom management have low effectiveness, with scientists struggling to find a method to deliver drugs through the blood-brain barrier. However, new uses of technology known as Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound provide hope for Alzheimer’s treatment, breaking the blood-barrier to allow drugs to pass through into the affected regions of the brain. MRgFUS is currently in phase 2 clinical trials after having undergone multiple animal studies and some preliminary human trials. Though it has not been paired with therapeutics like antibodies just yet, the future of this treatment is promising, and will hopefully be able to permanently improve the lives of those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
This video was made by McMaster Students Hana Nazal, Sébastien Violette, Stephanie Wang in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.
Copyright McMaster University 2021
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