Modulation of Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED) Distribution using Focused Ultrasound (FUS)

Project Goal

The aim of this project is to show that focused ultrasound (FUS) can be used to sculpt the distribution of and infusion mixture delivered with convection-enhanced delivery (CED).  Rats will be used for the purposes of these experiments. Surgery will be performed in order to insert a needle into a predetermined location within the rat's brain. We will deliver a combination of contrast agent (for MRI detection) and blue dye (for tissue analysis following animal sacrifice). Animals will be imaged using MR immediately after infusion in order to determine the initial location of the infused agents, and will then be subject to FUS bursts. MR imaging will be performed again following FUS and images will be used to determine the effects of this treatment on redistribution of the injected cocktail. Control animals will be subject to the same procedures, except will not undergo treatment with FUS. Following completion of the second MRI, animals will be sacrificed and brains will be removed and fixed for further analyses.