Ultrasound holds promise
for Alzheimer’s

UQ researchers have discovered that non-invasive ultrasound improves the delivery to the brain of a therapeutic antibody targeting Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) previously showed non-pharmacological scanning ultrasound reversed Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and restored memory in mice.

The new research found that ultrasound alone cleared toxic tau protein clumps, but combining ultrasound with an antibody treatment was more effective than either treatment alone in removing protein clumps and reducing Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in mice.

QBI director Professor Pankaj Sah said the research was made possible through the support of the state and federal governments, and philanthropic support led by the Clem Jones Foundation.

“The discovery is another promising step made by QBI researchers towards future therapeutic treatments for dementia,” Professor Sah said.

“Excitingly, the research shows that ultrasound may also be a viable treatment for other disorders in which proteins aggregate in the brain – including Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease.”

For more information about the Queensland Brain Institute, visit qbi.uq.edu.au.