Cognizing Consciousness

Engineers use short ultrasound pulses to reach neurons through blood-brain barrier

Columbia Engineering researchers have developed a new technique to reach neurons through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and deliver drugs safely and noninvasively. Up until now, scientists have thought that long ultrasound pulses, which can inflict collateral damage, were required. But in this new study, the Columbia Engineering team show that extremely short pulses of ultrasound waves can open the blood-brain barrier — with the added advantages of safety and uniform molecular delivery — and that the molecule injected systemically could reach and highlight the targeted neurons noninvasively.

Breaching the blood-brain barrier: Researchers may have solved 100-year-old puzzle

Cornell University researchers may have solved a 100-year puzzle: How to safely open and close the blood-brain barrier so that therapies to treat Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cancers of the central nervous system might effectively be delivered. (Journal of Neuroscience, Sept. 14, 2011.)

HIV disrupts the blood-brain barrier

40 to 60% of patients with HIV suffer from HIV-related dementia, but why? The blood-brain barrier is a network of blood vessels with special properties (tight junctions) that keep harmful substances and pathogens out of the central nervous system. According to the June issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, HIV weakens this barrier by infecting a group of small cells crucial for the maintenance of the BBB: Astrocytes. Considering the important role of the BBB in maintaining CNS homeostasis the findings published in this study may be an important step towards a more complete understanding of HIV-related cognitive impairments.