Using ultrasound to help deliver drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment
Official title: Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease using Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Cavitation-Mediated Blood Brain Barrier Opening to Facilitate Drug Delivery to the Brain
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10862637 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help treat Alzheimer's disease by using sound waves to temporarily open the barrier that protects the brain, making it easier for medicine to reach the areas affected by the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 27, 2022 |
| Project end | July 26, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,994 |
| NIH project number | 5F30AG077800-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862637 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating Alzheimer's disease by using ultrasound-targeted microbubble cavitation to open the blood-brain barrier. By applying low-intensity ultrasound to microbubbles injected into the bloodstream, the researchers aim to temporarily increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing for more effective delivery of therapeutic drugs directly to the brain. The study will explore the mechanisms behind this technique and its potential to enhance drug delivery specifically targeting amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease by improving drug delivery to the brain.
How similar studies have gone: While ultrasound-targeted drug delivery is a relatively novel approach, preliminary studies have shown promise in enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier in other conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conway, Grace — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Conway, Grace
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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.