Alzheimer’s Disease and Ultrasound

Focused Ultrasound Therapy

Focused ultrasound is an innovative, noninvasive technology with the potential to improve quality of life and reduce the cost of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. This therapy directs beams of ultrasonic energy deep into the brain with precision, without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

How It Works

Where the beams meet, focused ultrasound produces therapeutic effects without the need for surgery or radiation.

One key effect is the temporary opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This may help the brain remove harmful beta amyloid proteins—one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The BBB normally blocks many drug and antibody treatments from reaching the brain in effective amounts. With focused ultrasound, therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) may enter the brain more effectively.

Another benefit is neuromodulation—the ability to stimulate specific areas of the brain to improve their activity in people with Alzheimer’s.

Research and Progress

Promising preclinical studies show that focused ultrasound, when combined with microbubbles, can safely open the BBB and improve delivery of anti-amyloid antibodies. Early research suggests this process may reduce amyloid plaques and improve cognition in Alzheimer’s models.

Interestingly, studies also found that focused ultrasound with microbubbles alone—without antibodies—showed similar benefits in some Alzheimer’s models. Researchers are also exploring genetic therapy, using adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a potential one-time treatment.

Potential Advantages

  • Noninvasive treatment – no surgery, no holes in the skull, and lower risk of infection or blood clots.
  • Precise targeting – focused on affected areas, while sparing healthy brain tissue.
  • Combination therapy – may enhance the delivery of disease-modifying treatments by temporarily opening the BBB.

Final Thoughts

While more research is needed before focused ultrasound becomes a standard Alzheimer’s treatment, it represents a hopeful step toward better care and improved outcomes.

At Personal Senior Care Homes, we remain committed to sharing the latest information about Alzheimer’s research while providing compassionate, personalized care for our residents.

Call Steve Brock today at 513-505-5018 to schedule a tour of our homes and learn more about the care we provide for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.