Ultrasound recovers memory lost in Alzheimer's disease

ByMariano Cuajao

Human ears have a high vibration frequency that can not be heardUltrasonic wave"Is used in ultrasound examination of fetus in medical field. Using such ultrasound,Alzheimer's diseaseResearch is being conducted to restore the memory and brain function itself lost from the brain.

Ultrasound Restores Memory To Mice with Alzheimer's | Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/ultrasound-restores-memory-mice-alzheimers


Although the cause of Alzheimer's disease is not clearly known, it is said that plaque which occurs in the brain by the accumulation of a protein called "amyloid-β" is one cause. Although plaques derived from amyloid were thought to occur with age, Northwestern University Feinberg Medical CollegeAccumulation of amyloid has started since around 20'sIt is believed that the accumulation of amyloid - β in the brain inhibits the connection between brain cells and thus causes problems such as memory impairment in the brain of Alzheimer 's disease patients.

Therefore, researchers are researching ways to remove plaque to restore memory and decreased brain function. The difficulty of this study limits mass exchange of blood and brainBlood brain barrierIt is in The blood-brain barrier decreases with age, but it is very difficult to infiltrate unnecessary substances and it has not succeeded to infiltrate chemical substances that remove plaque to the cranial nerve so far. Removing the blood brain barrier damages the brain, so we need to find a way to remove plaque without passing through the barrier.

ByEnrique T

While an alternative treatment method to chemicals is needed, one research team in Australia said that ultrasound isMicrogliaIt stimulates the immune system cells of the brain called. Experiments that send ultrasound to the brains of Alzheimer's disease mice have succeeded in dramatically reducing plaque from the brains of 75% of mice. In addition, it has been confirmed that these mice have recovered their memory and spatial cognitive abilities.

Also,Micro bubbleThe combination of injection and ultrasound has also been successful in temporarily opening a harmless hole in the blood brain barrier and the effect on plaque has not been confirmed yet it may be useful for the development of Alzheimer's disease drug Thing. The research team is planning clinical trials for humans, but in the next phase, we will be experimenting with ultrasound therapy using Alzheimer's disease sheep.