This method of drug delivery is being studied in rats with 14C labeled compounds and 35S labeled antisense oligonucleotides and in dogs using the CT scanner to map the delivery distribution. We are using CED to develop chronic methods of drug infusion into the brain, and in addition to studying distribution and drug pharmacokinetics, are also developing new methods to evaluate neurotoxicity. However, basic studies of the blood-brain barrier also continue, including methods to improve the rate of drug efflux from the brain.
Research also includes other disease states, such as stroke.
Laboratory methods rely heavily on using radioisotope labeled compounds, liquid scintillation counting, quantitative autoradiography, and high performance liquid chromatography as methods for acquiring data and on pharmacokinetic analysis to determine drug delivery parameters. Berger, C. B Wilson, Eds. Caserta, M.T., Caccioppo, D., Lapin, G.D., Ragin. Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Alzheimer's Disease and Elderly Control Subjects. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.