The study addresses one of medicine’s toughest challenges: the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a thin, microscopic interface that protects the brain but also blocks most drugs and diagnostic molecules. This makes treating and monitoring brain tumors and neurological diseases extremely difficult.

Strategies to safely and effectively overcome the BBB are critical for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of central nervous system diseases.

Teaching an ultrasound system to predict risk

Focused ultrasound combined with microscopic gas-filled bubbles can temporarily open the BBB. When carefully controlled, the technique allows drugs to enter the brain and enables microscopic molecular reporters from tumors and brain diseases to exit into the blood.