Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy Study of Cerebrovascular Dynamics in Ultrasound-Induced Blood—Brain Barrier Opening

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption can be achieved with ultrasound (US) and circulating microbubble (MB) contrast agent. Using dorsal US sonication and Definity, an MB contrast agent, responses of the cortical cerebral vasculature to BBB opening were observed with varying acoustic peak negative pressure (0.071 to 0.25 MPa) under two-photon microscope. Wistar rats with a craniotomy were sonicated with a single piezoelectric transducer following the intravenous injection of Texas Red for visualization of vasculature and leakage from BBB opening. Based on time-dependent intensity change in the extravascular area, the leakage was classified into three types: fast, sustained, and slow. Fast leakage was characterized by a rapid increase to peak intensity during sonication, but a decrease afterwards, occurring at all pressures and vessels sizes analyzed in our study. Sustained leakage was indicated by a similar, immediate increase to peak intensity but one that remained elevated for the duration of imaging, occurring at low-to-intermediate pressures. Slow leakage began 5 to 15 minutes after sonication, dominating at low pressures, and was more prevalent among smaller vessels than fast and sustained leakage. Our study showed the possibility of controlling leakage type and vessel size in US-induced BBB opening through varying acoustic pressure.