Ultrasound Alzheimer’s treatment set for clinical trials

Developed by researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ), the technology first came to prominence in 2015. In the original trials, ultrasound was used to remove amyloid beta (Aβ) from mouse brains. Aβ is the main component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Clearing it from mouse brains was found to restore memory and counteract the disease's degenerative impact. Since then, the technique has also been successfully trialled on higher level mammals and a phase 1 safety trial on a small number of human patients is now due to take place in late 2019.   

“The ultrasound waves oscillate tremendously quickly, activating microglial cells that digest and remove the amyloid plaques that destroy brain synapses,” said UQ's Professor Jurgen Gotz, chairman of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research.

“The word ‘breakthrough’ is often misused, but in this case I think this really does fundamentally change our understanding of how to treat this disease, and I foresee a great future for this approach.”