US 2021/0330950 A1 · Using Alternating Electric Fields to Increase Permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier

Abstract

Many drugs and other molecules cannot ordinarily traverse the blood brain barrier (BBB). However, when alternating electric fields at certain optimum frequencies (e.g., 100 kHz) are applied to the brain, the BBB becomes permeable to those molecules. When the alternating electric fields are discontinued, the BBB eventually recovers to its original impermeable state. Subsequently, re-application of alternating electric fields at the optimum frequencies will re-open the BBB. Ordinarily, many frequencies (e.g., 200 kHz) of alternating electric fields are either ineffective or less effective at inducing permeability than the optimum frequencies. But once the BBB has been opened by applying alternating electric fields at the optimum frequencies, alternating electric fields at non-optimum frequencies can maintain the permeability of a previously-opened BBB.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for delivering a substance across a blood brain barrier of a subject's brain, the method comprising:

applying an alternating electric field to the subject's brain for a first period of time, wherein application of the alternating electric field to the subject's brain for the first period of time increases permeability of the blood brain barrier in the subject's brain;
administering a first substance to the subject after the first period of time has elapsed, wherein the increased permeability of the blood brain barrier allows the first substance to cross the blood brain barrier;
discontinuing the application of the alternating electric field for enough time to allow the blood brain barrier to recover;
after the blood brain barrier has recovered, applying an alternating electric field to the subject's brain for a second period of time, wherein application of the alternating electric field to the subject's brain for the second period of time increases permeability of the blood brain barrier in the subject's brain;
and
administering a second substance to the subject after the second period of time has elapsed, wherein the increased permeability of the blood brain barrier allows the second substance to cross the blood brain barrier.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Using Alternating Electric Fields to Increase Permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier

Life of this patent

Using Alternating Electric Fields to Increase Permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22