University of Queensland researchers to test safety of ultrasound treatment for Alzheimer's

University of Queensland researchers are currently testing the safety of the potentially revolutionary treatment option - after previous studies highlighted ultrasound's potential to improve memory function.

Taking place at Mater Hospital in Brisbane, the safety trial will involve up to 12 participants and is the culmination of a decade of ongoing research led by Jurgen Goetz from the university's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI).

"There is currently no effective treatment for Alzheimer's, so it is hugely rewarding that we could in the future potentially treat the disease with ultrasound," Professor Goetz said.

Professor Goetz said the study followed a breakthrough discovery (published in 2015) that ultrasound could clear toxic amyloid-b plaque build-up, restoring memory functions.

The 12-month trial will be overseen by researcher and neurologist, Peter Nestor.

Professor Nestor said the team would be treating an area at the back of the brain which is affected in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

"Each participant receives four treatments which will be administered fortnightly, and after completing the course, they'll have an MRI scan of the brain and a repeat cognitive test," he said.

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia and the second leading cause of death in Australia.

QBI researchers have worked with design and engineering teams to develop a fit-for-purpose ultrasound device for use in the trial.

QBI director Pankaj Sah said the study would not have been possible without the support of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, a number of generous donors and the state and federal governments.

"The use of ultrasound to treat the most prevalent form of dementia is enormously exciting because it tackles one of the biggest health challenges of our time," Professor Sah said.

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