Progress of research in the application of ultrasound technology for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder defined by decreased reasoning abilities, memory loss, and cognitive deterioration. The presence of the blood–brain barrier presents a major obstacle to the development of effective drug therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. The use of ultrasound as a novel physical modulation approach has garnered widespread attention in recent years. As a safe and feasible therapeutic and drug-delivery method, ultrasound has shown promise in improving cognitive deficits. This article provides a summary of the application of ultrasound technology for treating Alzheimer’s disease over the past 5 years, including standalone ultrasound treatment, ultrasound combined with microbubbles or drug therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound therapy. Emphasis is placed on the benefits of introducing these treatment methods and their potential mechanisms. We found that several ultrasound methods can open the blood–brain barrier and effectively alleviate amyloid-β plaque deposition. We believe that ultrasound is an effective therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, and this review provides a theoretical basis for future ultrasound treatment methods.

Keywords

• alzheimer’s disease
• blood–brain barrier
• drugs
• magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound
• microbubbles
• scanning ultrasound
• ultrasound
• ultrasound stimulation