Acoustics controlled tunable passage through the blood brain barrier

What is it about?

Our body has a way of regulating itself. It keeps the internal systems stable against changing external factors, a process known as “homeostasis.” The brain maintains homeostasis with the help of the blood brain barrier (BBB). This structural barrier prevents the toxins and pathogens in the blood from reaching the brain. But it also restricts the proper distribution of drugs used for treating many nervous system diseases. The shear force arising from blood flow exhibits the ability to control the structure and function of BBB. Studies have shown that this force can be used to improve the function of BBB. However, the fluid shear stress has to be tightly regulated to prevent any damage. The authors of this study developed a solidly mounted acoustic wave resonator. The device uses sound waves of gigahertz frequency to: 1) Regulate BBB using fluid shear force 2) Enable transport of molecules across the BBB.

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Photo by ANIRUDH on Unsplash

Photo by ANIRUDH on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The BBB is extremely dense, which is essential for protecting the brain from foreign objects. However, the BBB also prevents the entry of almost all drug molecules into the CNS. This prevents targeted drug delivery for central nervous system (CNS) related diseases. Finding a way to transport these across the BBB is crucial for therapy. In this study, the authors attempted to solve this issue. They designed a device for controlled drug molecule delivery through acoustic streaming (AS). KEY TAKEAWAY: The device uses AS to create pores in the BBB. This can be regulated to allow the transport of drug molecules of different weights. This work provides unique insights about the mechanical regulation of BBB. More effective drug delivery methods can thus be developed in the future.