MRI-guided focused ultrasound to deliver drugs to brain cavernous malformations
MR Image-Guided Drug Delivery to Cerebral Cavernous Malformations with Focused Ultrasound
Researchers plan to use MRI and focused ultrasound with microbubbles to briefly open tiny blood vessels so medicines can reach people with cerebral cavernous malformations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11224054 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops MRI-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with microbubbles to transiently permeabilize the small vessels around cavernous malformations so larger drugs can get into the lesion. The team is building on transgenic mouse models of CCM to test targeting, timing, and delivery of biologic therapies that normally cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. They will optimize imaging and ultrasound parameters to safely open the perilesional microvasculature and measure drug uptake and lesion response. The work is intended to create a path toward less invasive, targeted treatments for CCMs that bypass the limitations of systemic delivery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cerebral cavernous malformations, especially those with growing or symptomatic lesions that are difficult to remove surgically, would be the main candidates for future trials of this approach.
Not a fit: Patients with small, stable, asymptomatic CCMs or lesions that lack accessible microvasculature may not benefit from this targeted delivery strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow targeted delivery of drugs into CCMs and reduce the need for risky brain surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Focused ultrasound with microbubbles has been used to open the blood-brain barrier in other brain conditions with early clinical success, but applying it specifically to deliver therapies into CCMs is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Price, Richard J. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Price, Richard J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.