November 17, 2005 Regions Hospital researcher discovers method to treat brain and body disorders Intranasal method receives praise and further study in Europe and Asia St. Paul, Minn., A researcher at Regions Hospital developed a new drug delivery method that provides promise for treating disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, erectile dysfunction and obesity. William Frey II, Ph.D. developed the non-invasive, intranasal method for delivering treatment to the brain by bypassing the blood-brain barrier, which is a natural barrier that protects the brain. The intranasal delivery method works because of the connection that the nerves involved in sensing odors and chemicals provide between the brain and the external environment. The method allows drugs that do not cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. And for drugs that do cross the blood-brain barrier, the method eliminates the need for delivery through the bloodstream, which helps reduce unwanted side effects. "This method may be the breakthrough we've needed to treat some of the devastating disorders people face every day. It's been shown to improve memory in Alzheimer's patients and in healthy adults and even to reduce body fat in men," says Frey, who, as the inventor of this method, has been involved with a number of U.S. and foreign-issued patents. Frey's research on intranasal delivery to the brain has been referenced and shared in a number of journals including, most recently, Neurobiology of Aging in 2005. Regions Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a premier, full-service, private hospital providing outstanding medical and surgical care with special programs in heart, women's care, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, burn and emergency care. The hospital is part of the HealthPartners family of health care organizations. Additional information is available at www.regionshospital.com.
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