Scientists have opened the blood-brain barrier for the first time

An interesting development in science given the recent controversy surrounding Brittany Maynard.

The blood-brain barrier is a network of cells that separates the brain from the rest of the body, preventing harmful toxins and chemicals in the blood stream from entering the brain tissue. This blocking mechanism makes it very difficult to deliver drugs to the brain for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.

This protective barrier has been opened in animals but never in humans, until now. A medical start-up company CarThera in France, have opened and closed the barrier on demand with the help of an ultrasound brain implant and an injection of microbubbles.

The findings were presented last week at the Focused Ultrasound symposium in the US by Michael Canney, a neuroscientist at CarThera. The study involved the treatment of glioblastoma - the most aggressive form of brain cancer - in four patients. Patients with glioblastoma usually need surgery to remove the tumour, after which they are given chemotherapy drugs to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. The blood-brain barrier becomes leaky when a tumour is present, so a small amount of the drugs are able to enter the brain.

“If more of the chemotherapy drugs could get through, they’d do a better job of killing cancer," Canney told Chris Weller from Medical Daily.

Scientists have opened the blood-brain barrier for the first time

Tamar Stitt: Death of 10-year-old cancer sufferer likely preventable, WA coroner finds - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Perth girl Tamar Stitt died in El Salvador in November 2009 three months after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Doctors had recommended she undergo chemotherapy, but her parents refused and instead chose natural remedies such as clay wraps, herbal teas and a healthy diet.

Coroner Ros Fogliani said decisions made by Tamar's parents were not in her best interests.

"Mr and Mrs Stitt were at an extremely vulnerable point, beset with fear and confusion about their daughter's illness and her future," the coroner said.

However, she declined to refer the matter to the state's prosecuting authorities.

"It is clear from the evidence before me at the inquest that Tamar's parents at all times loved her, wanted her to be cured of her cancer and did what they believed was in her best interests by endeavouring to treat her with natural therapies," she said.

Tamar Stitt: Death of 10-year-old cancer sufferer likely preventable, WA coroner finds - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)