Using focused ultrasound and nanoemulsions to enhance drug delivery to the brain
Official title: Next generation transcranial ultrasound-based neuromodulation using phase shift nanoemulsions
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11006297 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help deliver medicine directly to the brain using sound waves and tiny liquid particles, which could lead to better treatments for brain conditions with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $775,610 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132022-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006297 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with neurological conditions that require targeted drug delivery to the brain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve the brain or those who are not candidates for neuromodulation therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new method for delivering drugs to the brain using focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with phase shift nanoemulsions (PSNEs). The approach involves creating tiny liquid particles that can carry medication and become microbubbles when exposed to ultrasound, allowing for targeted delivery and enhanced permeability of the blood-brain barrier. By testing this method in non-human primates, the researchers hope to establish a reliable way to modulate brain activity and improve treatment outcomes for various neurological conditions. This innovative technique could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the delivery of medications to the brain, enhancing treatment options for neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using focused ultrasound for drug delivery, but this specific combination with phase shift nanoemulsions is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caskey, Charles F — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Caskey, Charles F
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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.