Next year will begin clinical trials of a promising new method of treatment of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders associated with accumulation in the brain of toxic proteins. Researchers from the University of Queensland has proposed to remove these proteins using ultrasound. In tests on laboratory animals new therapy show high efficacy, according to the portal New Atlas.
Ultrasound therapy has been developed by scientists in 2015. Initial studies were aimed at finding ways of using ultrasonic waves to help the antibodies to those faster getting to the proteins that associate with the development of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. During the experiments scientists have discovered that ultrasound effectively removes toxic amyloid protein plaque from the brain without any additional therapeutic drugs.
“Fast oscillation of ultrasonic waves microglial activates cells that break down and remove amyloid plaque, affecting brain neurotransmission. The word “breakthrough” is often misused, but in this case, our method really fundamentally changes our view on how to treat this disease. I see great potential in this form of therapy,” — said in 2015, Jurgen Goetz, one of the leading developers of a new method of ultrasonic treatment neirodegenerativnykh diseases.
For several years scientists have conducted laboratory tests of a new method and perfected it. They were injected into the brain of mice with dementia special micro bubbles. When exposed to ultrasound the brain is fully recovered lost cognitive function. Experiments involving sheep also proved the efficiency of the approach.
Now the team plans to test the technique on people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Federal funding in the amount of $ 10 million will allow for a trial with 10 patients suffering from early form of dementia. Clinical trials are scheduled to begin in 2019. According to researchers, ultrasound therapy is most effective if you start treatment as early as possible — ideally before the onset of the first symptoms.
Scientists say that before the actual use of new method of treatment of dementia can take several years, however, if the clinical trials it will show its effectiveness, then we may have a very simple way of dealing with this disease. In an interview with Australian media Goetz noted that in the future may be compact personal ultrasonic devices that will prevent the progression of the disease at the first manifestations of her symptoms.
“Long-term goal is to develop affordable, portable device capable to help millions of people with Alzheimer’s disease not only in our country but worldwide,” added Goetz.
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