AIP conference proceedings · 2009 · 23 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeuroscienceRadiologyDiagnostic ImagingUltrasonographyUltrasoundContrast AgentsContrast MediaContrast-enhanced UltrasonographyContrast-enhanced UltrasoundMagnetic Resonance ImagingUltrasound ImagingBlood-brain Barrier Permeability ImagingContrast Agent AdministrationContrast-enhanced Ultrasound GuidanceFocus Ultrasound-mediated Bbb DisruptionStructural MriTargeted Contrast AgentsUltrasound Contrast Agents
To evaluate the feasibility of disrupting the blood‐spinal cord barrier (BSCB), 31 rats were exposed to focused 1.08 MHz ultrasound at electrical powers of 0.5 W and 1.0 W after injection of the ultrasound contrast agent Definity. T1‐weighted images were acquired before and after ultrasound exposure using a 3 T MRI and the MR contrast agent Gadovist. At 0.5 and 1.0 W the average relative enhancements observed were 29.1±21% and 57.5±34% respectively. After recovery from ultrasound exposure, the rats did not show signs of motor impairment. The results demonstrate the feasibility of BSCB disruption using ultrasound together with ultrasound contrast agents. Further studies of this method are warranted.