Recent research explores the use of nanomaterial-based drug delivery to increase treatment efficacy for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor with poor prognosis. Stimuli-responsive and biomimetic nanomedicines are designed to overcome the blood–brain barrier and deliver drugs selectively within tumors.
A study by IBEC researchers found that dynamic protein usage, measured by endocytic turnover rate (ETOR), plays a critical role in blood–brain barrier function and is disrupted under inflammatory conditions. This discovery may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for restoring neurovascular health.
Researchers propose protein coronas as a dynamic navigation interface to shape how nanomedicines are recognized and delivered across the blood-brain barrier. The corona can be manipulated to bias circulation, targeting ligands, and intracellular trafficking for improved brain delivery.
Mitochondrial damage fuels neuroinflammation in CNS diseases, but targeted nanomedicines can restore function and reduce inflammation. Intelligent nanomaterials designed to cross the blood-brain barrier have shown striking efficacy in preclinical models.
Andrew Yang's research has reshaped scientific understanding of the blood-brain barrier and its role in brain health and disease. His latest study reveals new potential treatment targets for neurological diseases, normal aging, and sleep.
Researchers found that Adgrl2 plays a crucial role in building both brain synapses and blood vessels, with different cell types producing distinct versions of the protein. Removing Adgrl2 from endothelial cells caused blood vessels to become leaky and lose their integrity.
Researchers discover cancer-driving genes in microglia of Alzheimer's patients, suggesting a link between blood cancers and the neurodegenerative disease. The findings could lead to new diagnostic tools and therapeutic options for Alzheimer's.
A team led by Jiefu Li developed a new method to examine proteins lining the inside surface of blood vessels, revealing two proteins and pathways that play a role in opening and closing the blood-brain barrier. This discovery could help scientists understand how the barrier functions and develop better ways to deliver medicines for neu...
Patients with type 2 diabetes and brain metastases who used GLP-1 receptor agonists showed a significant reduction in all-cause mortality. The use of these medications was associated with reduced neuroinflammation, preservation of the blood-brain barrier, and lowered oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
A gene therapy platform successfully mapped the living brain noninvasively, using engineered proteins to track gene expression in different brain regions. This technology has the potential to reveal critical information about cellular activity and neurological disease progression.
Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship for his innovative work on noninvasive methods to communicate with the brain. He aims to develop versatile platform technologies to obtain new types of research data and treat multiple diseases.
Researchers developed a novel nanoparticle system to cross the BBB, target infection sites, and release antibacterial agents locally. This strategy effectively disrupts biofilms, eliminates drug-resistant bacteria, and reduces neuroinflammation.
A multidisciplinary team at USC has developed selective compounds that inhibit an enzyme tied to brain inflammation in people at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s. The inhibitors preserve normal brain function and cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
Compulsive behaviours are common across many mental health conditions, where people repeat actions despite negative consequences. New research in rats suggests that triggering inflammation in the striatum may shift behaviour toward more deliberate decision-making, rather than habit.
Researchers are formulating and evaluating an intranasal oxytocin delivery system to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project aims to enhance the efficacy and palatability of existing treatments, expanding on prior research that explored using oxytocin to treat alcoholism.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are using a human brain-on-a-chip system to study lethal encephalitis viruses and develop treatments. The chip replicates the function of the human brain, allowing scientists to test antiviral drugs in a more accurate and human-like environment.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to make serum markers more sensitive by editing them inside the bloodstream, enabling clearer observation of gene-expression changes in the brain. This approach could lead to more precise diagnostic capabilities using simple blood tests.
A nonsurgical approach has been demonstrated to quiet a specific brain circuit in an animal model by delivering engineered gene therapy only to the targeted region. The method uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing precise control over brain activity without impacting off-target areas.
A groundbreaking study in The American Journal of Pathology reveals a perineural pathway that enables HIV-infected immune cells to redistribute throughout the body, sustaining inflammation. The findings highlight the importance of the connection between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system in immunity.
Graz University of Technology and the University of Regensburg are conducting research on the interaction of cell types at the blood-brain barrier, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences in depression. The study aims to identify mechanisms contributing to depression and develop targeted therapies.
Researchers use microchips with human tissue to study brain damage caused by sepsis and neurodegenerative diseases, finding that the blood-brain barrier breaks down under stress. The technology also reveals how pericytes support the barrier and may lead to new treatments for preserving or introducing these cells.
Researchers developed a nanotechnology strategy that reverses Alzheimer's disease by targeting the blood-brain barrier and restoring its natural waste-clearing pathway. The therapy achieved a significant reduction in amyloid-β levels and improved cognitive function in mouse models, showing promise for treating dementia.
Senescent astrocytes lose their ability to support brain endothelial cells, leading to BBB dysfunction. Increased angiotensin signaling is implicated in this process.
Researchers have uncovered how mosquito-borne viruses invade the brain by exploiting specific proteins on blood-brain barrier cells. The study highlights promising molecular targets for future vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent severe neurological complications.
The USC team is developing a new drug aimed at a previously unexplored biological target in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a trigger of brain inflammation. They have identified an enzyme that predisposes the brain to inflammation and are now working to find a drug that can block it without harmful side effects.
A study led by Keck School of Medicine of USC found that a stem cell transplant performed one week after an ischemic stroke in mice led to significant brain cell growth and functional recovery. The treated mice showed improved fine motor skills, gait, and reduced inflammation compared to untreated mice.
A new exosome-based therapeutic agent has been developed to treat traumatic CNS injuries, alleviating neuronal apoptosis and restoring glial homeostasis. The treatment, SeNExo, promotes neuronal repair and reduces oxidative damage, showing potent therapeutic benefits in mouse models.
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine have developed a reliable measurement for opening the blood-brain barrier using focused ultrasound. By analyzing acoustic emissions signals generated by circulating microbubbles, they found that this method can predict blood-brain barrier opening in patients with glioblasto...
Researchers discovered that aging brains experience a leaky blood-brain barrier due to decreased levels of N-cadherin and occludin. This results in cognitive decline, starting as early as middle age. The study suggests a larger therapeutic window for treatment of age-related cognitive decline.
The JAK2-STAT3 pathway contributes to inflammation and injury after ischemic stroke. Targeting this pathway shows promise for reducing brain swelling, neuronal death, and improving recovery. Several inhibitors have been found effective in preclinical models, including Tyrphostin AG490, Ruxolitinib, and natural compounds like genistein.
A study from Gladstone Institutes reveals that genetic risk factors for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke exert their effects in blood vessels and immune cells. The research provides a detailed look at how genetic variants function across all major brain cell types, revealing distinct mechanisms for different diseases.
A research team led by Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is working on a technique that uses focused ultrasound to deliver creatine directly to the brain. This method aims to restore normal brain mass in models of creatine deficiency, which can impair brain development and lead to severe cognitive challenges.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the overlap between cognitive decline caused by chemotherapy and aging, discovering decreased blood flow, disrupted blood-brain barriers, and senescent cells. Removing these cells with senolytics can improve cerebral blood flow, cognition, and overall brain health.
A new molecule called the 'Fusion Superkine' has been created to target and kill glioblastoma cells while stimulating an immune response to prevent recurrence. The treatment, developed by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers, uses a combination of immunotherapy and targeted delivery to overcome the blood-brain barrier and...
Researchers found that aging increases the brain's vulnerability to low oxygen levels, disrupting the blood-brain barrier and leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. The study identified specific oxygen levels that trigger BBB disruption, with older mice showing increased sensitivity even at mild hypoxic levels.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Zhaoqi Yan, a scientist at Gladstone Institutes, has been awarded the 2025 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar fellowship to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind blood-brain barrier dysfunction. His research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's.
Andrew Yang will study proteins crossing the blood-brain barrier and their role in brain health, seeking new therapies for neurological diseases. The 2025 Searle Scholar's research could lead to a better understanding of age-related disorders.
A harmful form of tau protein directly damages blood vessels in the brain, leading to inflammation and weakening the brain's protective shield. The discovery highlights the importance of focusing on early neurovascular changes mediated by tau to prevent or slow down damage to the blood-brain barrier.
The breakthrough allows researchers to non-invasively assess BBB permeability using a wide range of radiotracers, enabling early detection of altered permeability and potential markers for neurodegenerative diseases. The scanner can also measure the effects of aging and liver inflammation on BBB health.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have made breakthroughs in delivering gene-targeting compounds to the brain, using cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides that can penetrate the cerebral cortex beyond the blood vessels. This could lead to new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as brain cancers.
Researchers developed nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory agents across the blood-brain barrier, opening new possibilities for treating Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related disorders. The delivery method successfully reduced inflammatory markers and improved food intake in mice with cancer cachexia.
A new study found that exosomes from children with pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disrupted blood-brain barrier integrity, leading to cognitive impairments. The research suggests a broader impact on barrier function and identifies potential biomarkers for OSA-related neurocognitive dysfunction.
A review article reveals CD2AP's crucial role in amyloid metabolism, tau pathology, synaptic function, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. CD2AP deficiency accelerates plaque formation, while its loss in neurons leads to reduced spine density and impaired synaptic plasticity.
A new stem cell therapy trial at UTHealth Houston aims to reduce neuroinflammation in patients with presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The study, which is sponsored by Weston Brain Institute, will enroll 12 patients and use PET imaging to determine whether stem cells reduce brain inflammation before symptoms develop.
Researchers from UConn School of Medicine reveal a novel pathway in cellular dysfunction contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. They discovered that endothelial cells, the inner lining of blood vessels, play a critical role in neurodegeneration by disrupting the blood-brain barrier's protection.
The collaboration combines Insilico's Pharma.AI platform with Tenacia's expertise in CNS biology and clinical development. By leveraging generative AI, the partnership seeks to expand therapeutic options and enhance outcomes for patients worldwide. Recent successes by Insilico include the nomination of ISM8969, a BBB penetrable NLRP3 i...
A new drug screening method developed by Tampere University has found biologically active molecules that target specific tissues, potentially solving delivery issues in cancer and brain diseases. The method uses phage display and microdialysis to identify peptides with tissue-homing and penetration capabilities.
Aging mice show significant changes in glycocalyx, the sugary armor on cells that form the blood-brain barrier. Restoring glycals improves cognitive function and reduces neuroinflammation. The study offers new avenues for treating brain aging and related diseases.
Scientists at NUS Medicine have developed a novel approach using nasal bacteria to deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the brain, reducing appetite and improving glucose metabolism in preclinical studies. The engineered bacteria leverage the olfactory mucosa's unique properties to deliver medication with enhanced bioavailability.
A fungal infection has been shown to trigger a fruit fly's own immune system to destroy brain cells leading to signs of neurodegeneration. The fungus makes the fly's innate immune system release Sarm, which suppresses the immune response and kills brain cells.
A new method allows for accurate measurement of blood-brain barrier permeability, revealing that many CNS drugs penetrate the barrier rapidly. The study found that plasma proteins play a crucial role in maintaining brain delivery of lipophilic agents.
A team of researchers has developed a novel model of the Blood-Brain Barrier, which mimics the complex structure of cerebral blood vessels. This breakthrough enables scientists to study neuroinflammation and develop new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Rice University's Synthesis X Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center are developing a light-induced brain delivery platform to improve drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier for treating brain metastasis. The goal is to enhance survival rates and transform the standard of care for this deadly form of cancer.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that Semliki Forest virus penetrates the central nervous system by entering the cerebrospinal fluid and binding to VLDLR before penetrating deeper into the brain. This finding could be used to develop the virus as an agent for treating brain cancer.
Researchers have developed peptide-guided nanoparticles that can target specific cells in the brain, including neurons, marking a significant step toward potential mRNA treatments for neurological diseases. The innovation uses peptides to precisely deliver mRNA to endothelial cells lining blood vessels and neurons.
Insilico Medicine has nominated ISM8969, an orally available NLRP3 inhibitor, as a potential treatment for various inflammatory diseases. The compound has shown promising results in preclinical evaluation studies, including balanced druggability and efficacy against inflammation.
Researchers developed a modular 16-channel high-voltage ultrasound phased array system for therapeutic medical applications, offering flexible programmable sonication parameters and achieving millimeter-level spatial precision. The system has been successfully employed for various therapeutic purposes such as neuromodulation, temporary...
The EMA's orphan designation for G2B-002 marks a significant milestone in the fight against pediatric brain tumors. The innovative product leverages Gate2Brain's proprietary technology to enhance drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, promising enhanced effectiveness and safety for complex cancer treatments.
Chronic neuroinflammation, driven by activated microglia and astrocytes, is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Targeted therapies that modulate microglial and astrocytic activity show promise in mitigating neuroinflammation.