THE NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FOCUSED ULTRASOUND: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON AN OLD TOOL

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2017
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Burak Yulug, Lutfu Hanoglu, Ertugrul Kilic
IntroductionTranscranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a novel technique that can noninvasively modulate the cortical function. Moreover, there are rapidly replicating evidence suggesting the role of tFUS for targeted neuroprotective drug delivery by increasing the permeability of the central nervous system barrier that results with increased neuroprotective activity. In contrast to the indirect neuroprotective effect, there is rare evidence suggesting the direct parenchymal neuroprotective effect of transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS). In the light of these findings, we aimed to review the direct and indirect neuroprotective effect of FUS in various animal models of Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease and Major Depressive Disorder.MethodsA literary search was conducted, utilizing search terms "animal", "focused ultrasound", "neuroprotection", "Alzheimer's Disease", "Parkinson's Disease ", "Stroke", "Neurodegenerative disease" and "Major Depressive Disorder". Items were excluded if they failed to: (1) include patients, (2) editorials, and letters.ResultsThis mini-review article presents an up-to-date review of the neuroprotective effects of tFUS in animal studies and suggests the dual neurotherapeutic role of tFUS in various neurodegenerative diseases.ConclusionFuture well-conducted human studies are emergently needed to assess the neuroprotective effects of FUS.



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