New advances in therapeutic approach to Parkinson’s disease

Researchers from the Abarka Kampala Comprehensive Neuroscience Center HM Sinaklocated at Her Majesty’s University Hospital Puerta del Sur in Mostoles, managed to take a new step in the process of securing the temporary opening of the blood-brain barrier using low-intensity ultrasound (LIFU) with microbubbles (guided by magnetic resonance). allow the administration of drugs,or a therapeutic alternative to combat the neurodegeneration of Parkinson’s disease at its inception.

Specifically, this study shows that it is “safe, viable, and brain tissue penetration is achieved” after opening this barrier in areas relevant to Parkinson’s patients, such as the substantia nigra and putamen, areas located in the center of the brain. The success of the autopsy and its penetration into the brain tissue was proven by conductings PET patients (positron emission tomography) with choline 18F (a radiodiagnostic test that involves the use of a contrast agent with choline 18F to test its adherence to a specific organ membrane).

The investigation was led by director HM Cinac.Jose A. Obeso, and neurologist and researcher from HM Cinac, Carmen Gascawas recently published in a scientific journal Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

Pilot study with three patients

“In this study, after opening the blood-brain barrier, PET choline uptake clearly, accurately, and exclusively increased in the treated areas, substantia nigra, and putamen. This demonstrates that penetration into the brain parenchyma occurred, which implies a functionally efficient opening. “This minimally invasive technique can effectively facilitate the arrival of potentially neurorestorative molecules to brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration,” says Gaska.

“Specifically, in a pilot study three patients were examined and the procedure was performed twice in two of them who underwent 18F choline PET. The finding was demonstrated by immediately performing intravenous contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain, which in most cases resolved within 24 hours. The PET choline tracer cannot cross the blood-brain barrier under physiological conditions, so the fact that uptake is observed means that it has opened up and locked onto the cell membranes of the target areas. We have shown that the procedure is viable and well tolerated,” says Gasca.