This technology is a low-frequency ultrasound platform used for the treatment of chronic inflammation that is associated with Parkinson’s disease and other diseases.
Various disease phenotypes, ranging from Parkinson’s to diabetes, cancer, and transplant rejection, appear to be exacerbated by the associated chronic inflammation. Current methods for treating disease-related inflammation rely on drugs with their own set of negative side effects. Specifically, for Parkinson’s disease, neuroinflammation triggered by alpha-synuclein plays a key role in pathogenesis and therefore activation of microglial cells to clear the alpha-synuclein may provide an attractive treatment for this neurodegenerative disease.
This technology uses ultrasound to treat chronic inflammation in patients with neurodegenerative disease. Surface acoustic wave technology uses low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound that mechanically breaks up plaques and promotes the uptake of proteins that mediate inflammation. When specifically applied to Parkinson’s disease, this technology activates the clearance mechanisms of various forms of extracellular alpha-synuclein deposits in the brain, resulting in reduced neuroinflammation. Focused ultrasound can also be used to improve the brain penetration of antibodies targeting the components of toxic protein deposits, allowing for improved antibody therapy for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Further, this technology can be used to mechanically improve clearance of inflamed regions, providing an alternative treatment to chronic inflammation related to several different diseases.
This technology has been validated in an in vitro setting using microglial cells.
Serge Przedborski, M.D., Ph.D.
IR CU17054
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik