HIFU To Be Used In Parkinson's Disease

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been used to treat prostate tumors for a few years with promising results.  Now doctors the the University of Virgina Health System will begin studying the effects of HIFU on Parkinson's disease.  HIFU uses ultrasound technology to selectively heat tumors until the cancer cells die, and leave healthy tissues alone.  This technique has been used a few times in experiments on humans with great results using MRI to locate the precise area of the abnormality in the brain that causes Parkinson's disease.  More information can be found at the link,



 http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-focused-ultrasound-parkinson-disease.html

The phase 1 clinical trial has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is expected to enroll 30 subjects with medication-resistant Parkinson's disease. The subjects will undergo an investigational procedure using focused sound waves delivered within a magnetic resonance scanner to target a small area deep in the brain. Unlike traditional brain surgery, there is no need to cut into the skull. "We are very encouraged by our initial experience with MRI-guided focused ultrasound. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from our patients and the public for treatments without incisions," Dr. Jeff Elias, the trial's principal investigator, said. "Parkinson's disease is the next logical step on our roadmap of investigation."

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The phase 1 clinical trial has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is expected to enroll 30 subjects with medication-resistant Parkinson's disease. The subjects will undergo an investigational procedure using focused sound waves delivered within a magnetic resonance scanner to target a small area deep in the brain. Unlike traditional brain surgery, there is no need to cut into the skull. "We are very encouraged by our initial experience with MRI-guided focused ultrasound. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from our patients and the public for treatments without incisions," Dr. Jeff Elias, the trial's principal investigator, said. "Parkinson's disease is the next logical step on our roadmap of investigation."

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-focused-ultrasound-parkinson-disease.html#jCp

The new Parkinson's trial will test focused ultrasound's safety and efficacy in treating tremor related to Parkinson's disease, an incurable, neurodegenerative condition characterized by tremor and uncontrollable movements. Surgery can, in some cases, alleviate symptoms when medications have become ineffective. The current frontline surgical option is deep brain stimulation, which involves drilling holes in the skull and implanting a pacemaker system in the brain. U.Va.'s new Parkinson's trial is sponsored jointly by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, the Heller Foundation, the Commonwealth of Virginia and InSightec, the maker of the ultrasound device. Trial participants must have Parkinson's disease with tremor that is resistant to standard medical therapy. More information: To learn more about focused ultrasound at U.Va., visit uvahealth.com/focusedultrasound. The site includes a link to a database where those interested in being considered for the Parkinson's trial should submit their information.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-focused-ultrasound-parkinson-disease.html#jCp

(Medical Xpress)—After a promising clinical trial of focused ultrasound as a potential treatment for essential tremor, the University of Virginia Health System is launching a new study to investigate the scalpel-free technology's safety and effectiveness in reducing tremor related to Parkinson's disease.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-focused-ultrasound-parkinson-disease.html#jCp

The phase 1 clinical trial has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is expected to enroll 30 subjects with medication-resistant Parkinson's disease. The subjects will undergo an investigational procedure using focused sound waves delivered within a magnetic resonance scanner to target a small area deep in the brain. Unlike traditional brain surgery, there is no need to cut into the skull. "We are very encouraged by our initial experience with MRI-guided focused ultrasound. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from our patients and the public for treatments without incisions," Dr. Jeff Elias, the trial's principal investigator, said. "Parkinson's disease is the next logical step on our roadmap of investigation." Elias previously conducted the first focused ultrasound trial for treatment of essential tremor. All 15 trial participants were discharged the day after their procedures, and tremor improvement has been seen throughout follow-up.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-focused-ultrasound-parkinson-disease.html#jCp