AANS Beyond 2021: Full Collection-Focused Ultrasound Utilization for Opening of the Blood-Nerve Barrier

Focused Ultrasound Utilization for Opening of the Blood-Nerve Barrier

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video presentation, the speaker expresses gratitude for receiving the Kline Award for Peripheral Nerves Research from the AANS-CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. They discuss the use of focused ultrasound combined with circulating microbubbles to temporarily and reversibly open the blood-nerve barrier for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. While the effect of this technique on the blood-nerve barrier has not been studied before, it has been shown to be effective in opening the blood-brain barrier. The speaker explains that the blood-nerve barrier is a physiological boundary between peripheral nerve axons and the bloodstream, preventing the transfer of substances from the plasma to the nerve fibers. They describe their study focusing on optimizing the dose-response and characteristics of opening the blood-nerve barrier using MR-guided and direct vision ultrasound. Results from both phases of the study are presented, showing the potential for blood-nerve barrier disruption without causing tissue damage. The speaker concludes by discussing future directions for the research and thanking contributors and grant support. The video ends with a post-test question about the formation of the blood-nerve barrier.

Keywords

Kline Award for Peripheral Nerves Research

focused ultrasound

circulating microbubbles

blood-nerve barrier

localized delivery of therapeutic agents