High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU)

I have performed a MRIgPTT FUS in Switzerland, treating the right brain hemisphere, so being the left body side treated, at the time my worst side, 3 and half years ago, after 13 years of PD, and it was one of my best choices in life. Most symptoms on the treated just vanished, like tremors, dyskinesias, distonia, neck pain, although they are evoluting now on my untreated side, I am way better than before the surgery.

The patient had Focused Ultrasound treatment done in July this year for their dominant Right hand. It gave them the use of their hand back and they would highly recommend it.

High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU) is a non-surgical treatment for Parkinson's that creates precise lesions in the brain to address symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and slowness. Unlike Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), HiFU does not involve surgery, avoiding risks like infection or brain damage. It also has advantages over radiation-based treatments, as its effects are immediate and can be tested during the procedure. However, HiFU is irreversible, unlike DBS, which can be adjusted or turned off. While DBS remains the gold standard, HiFU could be a promising option for patients who cannot or do not want to undergo surgery. Clinical trials are ongoing to determine its effectiveness for different Parkinson's symptoms.

Dr. Michael Okun discusses the use of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU) for Parkinson's disease, emphasizing its role in treating tremors, dyskinesia, and on-off fluctuations. He notes that HiFU is typically used for one-sided therapy, as creating lesions in the brain can lead to irreversible changes. While HiFU has fewer side effects compared to other treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), its accuracy is lower because it operates externally and doesn't involve direct brain mapping. Dr. Okun highlights the need for further studies to determine the best targets and patient profiles for HiFU, as current outcomes are less favorable compared to traditional surgical methods. He also mentions advancements in DBS technology, which allow for real-time brain signal sensing and improved precision.

This paper investigated the use of MR-guided focused ultrasound (HiFU) as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). It focused on targeting specific brain areas, such as the ventral intermediate nucleus, subthalamic nucleus (STN), and internal globus pallidus, to alleviate symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and akinesia.

The study found that 62% of patients treated with HiFU thalamotomy showed significant improvement in tremor scores three months after treatment, compared to 22% in the sham group. Open-label trials also reported improvements in rigidity (71%), akinesia (36%), and tremor (77%) six months post-treatment, as well as reductions in dyskinesia and motor scores by up to 52% and 45%, respectively.

For people with Parkinson's, this research suggests that HiFU could be a promising option for managing symptoms like tremor and rigidity without the risks of traditional surgery. It also highlights the potential for personalized treatment by targeting specific brain areas based on individual symptoms.

The study is reliable as it includes a double-blinded, sham-controlled randomized trial, which is a high standard in clinical research. However, more high-quality trials are needed to confirm long-term safety, efficacy, and optimal use of HiFU in Parkinson's treatment.

This paper systematically reviewed and analyzed the safety and effectiveness of unilateral focused ultrasound (FUS) pallidotomy for treating motor complications in Parkinson's disease (PD). The researchers examined data from five studies involving 112 PD patients, using tools like the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) to measure outcomes.

The study found significant improvements in motor symptoms, as shown by reductions in UPDRS-II, UPDRS-III, UPDRS-IV, and UDysRS scores. Additionally, the treatment was deemed safe, with no statistically significant increase in adverse events such as headaches or walking difficulties.

For people with Parkinson's disease, this research suggests that FUS pallidotomy could be a promising option to improve motor symptoms without introducing significant safety risks. It provides hope for better management of motor complications in PD.

As a systematic review and meta-analysis, this study is highly reliable due to its comprehensive approach and inclusion of multiple studies. Published in a reputable journal, it offers strong evidence for the safety and efficacy of FUS pallidotomy in PD treatment.