The Application of Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Neurology and Immunology

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a stringent biological filter situated between the circulatory system and the brain's tissue, shielding the brain by preventing the entry of detrimental neurotoxic substances into the central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, the BBB also restricts the entry of most therapeutic drugs, resulting in only a few medications currently available for the clinical treatment of neurological diseases. Consequently, it is imperative to discover a secure and potent technique to temporarily disrupt the BBB for the purpose of directed medication administration. The therapeutic approach of ultrasound-induced BBB opening combined with drug delivery offers advantages such as non-invasiveness, precise targeting, and deep tissue penetration. It overcomes the limitations of traditional therapies blocked by the BBB and shows significant potential for treating neurological disorders. This review includes an overview of the physical characteristics and transport mechanisms of the BBB, followed by an introduction to the mechanisms of ultrasound-mediated BBB opening. Additionally, it summarizes the neural and immune regulation following BBB opening by ultrasound, with a focus on its features and clinical applications in immunotherapy. These extensive insights aim to provide promising strategies for the clinical application of ultrasound-mediated BBB opening for targeted and personalized drug delivery.