In a trial led by Ali Rezai, MD, from West Virginia University, a new method combining Aducanumab (Aduhelm) infusions with focused ultrasound showed promise in lowering amyloid-beta levels in Alzheimer's disease. The treatment involves using MRI-guided focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, enhancing drug delivery. Three patients who received Aducanumab infusions showed greater reduction in amyloid in brain regions targeted with focused ultrasound compared to regions without exposure to it. PET scans indicated a drop in amyloid levels in these targeted areas over 26 weeks, showcasing a potential 32% reduction in standardized uptake value ratio.
However, there were some side effects reported. Headaches were the most common, mostly mild, except for one moderate case. Additionally, discomfort during ultrasound treatment led to two severe adverse events for one participant, quickly resolved after the procedure.
No amyloid-related imaging abnormalities were observed. This method, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, has shown success in various neurological conditions, and previous studies hinted at reduced amyloid-beta levels without therapeutic agents like Aducanumab.
Though the trial's scale was limited to three patients and one side of the brain, larger trials exploring both brain sides are deemed crucial for further understanding and efficacy determination. Despite this, the findings fuel optimism that this approach combined with amyloid-beta removal agents could potentially slow Alzheimer's progression.
#Aducanumab #AlzheimersResearch #FocusedUltrasound #endalz
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