Beta-Amyloid Plaque Reduction In The Hippocampus After Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening In Alzheimer'S Disease

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits therapeutic delivery in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological disorders. Animal models have demonstrated safe BBB opening and reduction in beta-amyloid plaque with focused ultrasound (FUS). We recently demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and reversibility of FUS-induced BBB opening in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in six participants with early AD. We now report the effect of BBB opening with FUS treatment on beta-amyloid plaque. Six participants underwent F-18-Florbetaben PET scan at baseline and 1 week after the completion of the third FUS treatment (60 days interval). PET analysis comparing the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in the treated and untreated hemispheres revealed a decrease in the ratio of F-18-Florbetaben ligand binding. The standard uptake value ratios (SUVr) reduction ranged from 2.7% to 10% with an average of 5.05% (+/- 2.76) suggesting a decrease in beta-amyloid plaque.