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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Monitoring Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Rats with a Preclinical Focused Ultrasound System
Published on: September 13, 2024
Focused Ultrasound Enabled Trans-Blood Brain Barrier Delivery of Gold Nanoclusters: Effect of Surface Charges and
Deborah Sultan1, Dezhuang Ye2, Gyu Seong Heo1
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
Abstract:
Focused ultrasound (FUS) technology is reported to enhance the delivery of 64 Cu-integrated ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (64 Cu-AuNCs) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as measured by positron emission tomography (PET). To better define the optimal physical properties for brain delivery, 64 Cu-AuNCs with different surface charges are synthesized and characterized. In vivo biodistribution studies are performed to compare the individual organ uptake of each type of 64 Cu-AuNCs. Quantitative PET imaging post-FUS treatment shows site-targeted brain penetration, retention, and diffusion of the negative, neutral, and positive 64 Cu-AuNCs. Autoradiography is performed to compare the intrabrain distribution of these nanoclusters. PET Imaging demonstrates the effective BBB opening and successful delivery of 64 Cu-AuNCs into the brain. Of the three 64 Cu-AuNCs investigated, the neutrally charged nanostructure performs the best and is the candidate platform for future theranostic applications in neuro-oncology.
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