Study Reveals Insights into How Needed Treatments Can Bypass the Blood-Brain Barrier
A new study conducted by University of Liverpool scientists together with collaborators from around the world has revealed the most suitable ways through which the blood-brain barrier can be bypassed while treating neurological conditions. The blood-brain barrier has been a major challenge that has stood in the way of getting needed medicines into the brain, and this study’s findings offer solutions that could result in conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and brain tumors being treated effectively.
The blood-brain barrier is a very selective shield protecting the brain from any harmful substances carried in blood. However, this protective feature has proven to be a major hurdle as it makes it very difficult for medicines to travel to the brain. Estimates indicate that the barrier keeps out between 98% and 100% of all medicines depending on their molecule size. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to treat brain-related diseases.
A new study whose findings appeared in The Lancet Journal draws attention to a number of novel strategies that have the potential to safely bypass the blood-brain barrier.
The researchers reviewed studies conducted within the past 5 years focusing on different treatments for neurological conditions. The data was analyzed and new insights were obtained on the best ways through which the barrier could be bypassed to deliver needed treatments to the brain. These promising techniques include:
Ultrasound technology, in which ultrasound waves together with air bubbles help to open the barrier for some time. During that interval, therapeutics can be delivered to the brain. The potential of this approach was most evident in cases of brain tumors and Alzheimer’s.
Nanotechnology, through which nanoparticles with a drug payload are used to deliver therapeutics to the brain. These particles can bypass the barrier and get needed drugs into the brain.
Direct injections into the brain. Advancements in developing new delivery devices are making it possible for therapeutic viruses and medicines to be injected directly into the brain. This form of precision delivery has shown promise in cases of brain tumors and Parkinson’s disease.
While the techniques above and others highlighted in the study offer an exciting way to bypass the blood-brain barrier in order to get treatments into the brain, the study authors point out that the use of those methods is still in its infancy and further research will be needed to validate those methods in larger clinical trials.
It would be interesting to see how these methods of bypassing the blood-brain barrier can be leveraged by companies like CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) that are engaged in developing next-gen therapeutics targeting brain tumors.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
A new study conducted by University of Liverpool scientists together with collaborators from around the world has revealed the most suitable ways through which the blood-brain barrier can be bypassed while treating neurological conditions. The blood-brain barrier has been a major challenge that has stood in the way of getting needed medicines into the brain, and this study’s findings offer solutions that could result in conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and brain tumors being treated effectively.
The blood-brain barrier is a very selective shield protecting the brain from any harmful substances carried in blood. However, this protective feature has proven to be a major hurdle as it makes it very difficult for medicines to travel to the brain. Estimates indicate that the barrier keeps out between 98% and 100% of all medicines depending on their molecule size. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to treat brain-related diseases.
A new study whose findings appeared in The Lancet Journal draws attention to a number of novel strategies that have the potential to safely bypass the blood-brain barrier.
The researchers reviewed studies conducted within the past 5 years focusing on different treatments for neurological conditions. The data was analyzed and new insights were obtained on the best ways through which the barrier could be bypassed to deliver needed treatments to the brain. These promising techniques include:
Ultrasound technology, in which ultrasound waves together with air bubbles help to open the barrier for some time. During that interval, therapeutics can be delivered to the brain. The potential of this approach was most evident in cases of brain tumors and Alzheimer’s.
Nanotechnology, through which nanoparticles with a drug payload are used to deliver therapeutics to the brain. These particles can bypass the barrier and get needed drugs into the brain.
Direct injections into the brain. Advancements in developing new delivery devices are making it possible for therapeutic viruses and medicines to be injected directly into the brain. This form of precision delivery has shown promise in cases of brain tumors and Parkinson’s disease.
While the techniques above and others highlighted in the study offer an exciting way to bypass the blood-brain barrier in order to get treatments into the brain, the study authors point out that the use of those methods is still in its infancy and further research will be needed to validate those methods in larger clinical trials.
It would be interesting to see how these methods of bypassing the blood-brain barrier can be leveraged by companies like CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) that are engaged in developing next-gen therapeutics targeting brain tumors.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
