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To address the lack of therapeutic options for spinal cord injury, this research uses of MRI-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) as a novel non-invasive approach to disrupt the glial scar and to increase BSCB permeability for localized drug delivery. HIFU is FDA approved for treating essential tremor, bone metastases, prostate disease and fibroids and is under investigation for other conditions. HIFU can create a transient, nonchemical blood brain barrier permeability increase for drug delivery. Previous research has focused on therapies to prevent the formation of the glial scar. The idea that formation of the glial scar provides a measure of therapeutic benefit has gained further acceptance, however in chronic injury, the scar is a significant contributor to the failure of regenerative therapies.

Related Publications

  1. Payne AH, Hawryluk GW, Anzai Y, Odéen H, Ostlie MA, Reichert EC, Stump AJ, Minoshima S, Cross DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound to increase localized blood-spinal cord barrier permeability. Neural Regen Res. 2017 Dec;12(12):2045-2049. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.221162. PubMed PMID: 29323044
  2. Cross CG, Payne AH, Hawryluk GW, Haag-Roeger R, Cheeniyil R, Brady D, Odéen H, Minoshima S, Cross DJ, and Anzai Y. Technical Note: Quantification of Blood Spinal Cord Barrier Permeability after Application of Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound in Spinal Cord Injury. (In review Medical Physics)