​Coordinator: B. Larrat (UNIRS)

These projects consist in developing new tools based on transcranial ultrasound to deliver drugs to the brain and to non-invasively stimulate neural circuits. These new devices are dedicated to theranostic applications in rodent and non-human primate models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Our research program is divided as follows:

• Develop a motorized focused ultrasound equipment working under MRI guidance (7 T) and adapted to the geometry of rodent head, validate this system for image-guided temporary permeabilization of the BBB and neurostimulation (MRgFUS project)
  2012-2015, collaboration with Image Guided Therapy (Pessac)​

• Develop and validate a transcranial focused ultrasound system working under MRI guidance (7 T) and adapted to the geometry of the macaque brain (MACAKUS project)
  2014-2016, collaboration with CEA-MIRCen (Fontenay-aux-Roses)​

• Develop and validate a benchtop transcranial focused ultrasound device adapted to the geometry of mouse and rat brains for drug delivery to cerebral tissue (3BOPUS project)
  Since 2014, collaboration with CEA-Clinatec (Grenoble)

• Combine Fluorine MRI (¹⁹F) and ultrasound induced release of fluorinated nanoparticles encapsulating drugs (FLUORIMUS project)
  Since 2014, collaboration with Galien Paris-Sud Institute (Châtenay-Malabry)

• Evaluate the potential of ultrasound induced transient BBB permeabilization in Alzheimer’s disease, as new diagnostic tool, new assessment tool of therapeutic efficacy and new therapeutic tool per se (FUSETAD project)
  2015-2018, collaboration with Lumière Matière Institute (Villeurbanne)​

• Improve specific methodology for ultrasound induced transcranial neuromodulation and its visualization with functional MRI (NeuroStimUS project)
  Since 2015, collaboration with NeuroSaclay (Gif sur Yvette)
  

Ouvertures de BHE obtenues le long de trajectoires programmées dans le cerveau de 3 rats sains, mises en évidence par injection d'un chélate de gadolinium augmentant le signal en IRM