Innovative Ultrasound Technology Maps Drug Delivery in the Brain

Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a groundbreaking device that combines ultrasound with advanced imaging to monitor and enhance the delivery of drugs into the brain. Published in the Journal of Controlled Release, this new technology enables real-time observation of how brain cells respond immediately after ultrasound treatment, which is an emerging method for crossing the blood-brain barrier—a protective layer that restricts most drugs from entering the brain.

Dr. Pranesh Padmanabhan from UQ's School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute explained that this device offers crucial insights by mapping cellular responses and changes caused by ultrasound. The technique is particularly relevant for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease, where efficient drug delivery remains a major challenge.

The core principle behind this innovation is sonoporation, a process that uses ultrasound waves to induce temporary pores in blood vessel walls in the brain, allowing therapeutic agents to pass more effectively. This is achieved through microbubbles injected into the bloodstream, which vibrate and exert forces on the blood-brain barrier when sound waves are applied. Over five years of development, the device enables scientists to study how individual cells behave during and after treatment, providing a detailed understanding at the single-molecule and cellular levels.

This technology aims to optimize ultrasound-based protocols, balancing effective drug entry with safety considerations. Its potential extends beyond neurodegenerative diseases, with promising applications in cardiology and oncology. Improving drug uptake rates from the current 1–2% could significantly impact treatment outcomes.

For more information, see the study by Jonathan L.F. Lee et al. in the Journal of Controlled Release, DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113974. Source: University of Queensland.