Dr. Pranesh Padmanabhan from UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute said the device allows real-time observation of individual cells after ultrasound treatment, which is an emerging technology for the delivery of drugs past the blood-brain barrier.

The information learned about how treated cells respond and change could ultimately benefit the treatment of neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

“The blood-brain barrier prevents most drug uptake into the brain,” Dr. Padmanabhan said.

“Insights from this device will help inform ultrasound treatment protocols and establish a balance where uptake of drugs into the brain is effective, yet still safe.”