Ultrasound may aid in treating Alzheimer's & other neurological disorders

Researchers from the University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia, have discovered that therapy using ultrasound technology could enhance cognitive function in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The ultrasound technology was developed by Professor Jurgen Gotz from the Queensland Brain Institute after a decade-long study of rat models, and published in Molecular Psychiatry (Nature, March, 2024).

In 2024, Queensland Brain Institute researcher Professor Peter Nestor completed the initial human clinical safety trial of the novel ultrasound medical device, and trial outcomes are predicted to be submitted for publication this year (2025). This technology uses ultrasound targeted pressure waves to activate the brain’s capacity to increase neuronal signaling and clear pathological proteins present with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The therapy increases neuronal signaling and thereby restores memory and cognition by enhancing communication between brain cells. The therapy also targets and clears and builds-up of the proteins toxic amyloid and tau by activating the brain’s intrinsic clearance mechanism,” Professor Gotz, has been quoted in the University of Queensland website.

In December, 2024, the ultrasound technologies developed by the researcher were licensed to a new start-up, spun out of Queensland University. The therapeutic ultrasound technology developed by Prof Gotz will be moved along the pathway to clinical use by start up Ceretas, and the start-up will use the company to validate the system to treat Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disease, according to the Queensland University website.