Focused ultrasound therapy for movement disorders

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Functional neurosurgery, including deep brain stimulation, is a standard treatment for movement disorders.
• MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging incisionless and minimally invasive neurosurgical technique.
• MRgFUS utilizes high-intensity ultrasound energy for therapeutic thermoablation in the brain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications and future potential of MR-guided focused ultrasound in treating movement disorders.
• To highlight the safety and efficacy of MRgFUS demonstrated in randomized controlled trials.
• To explore the expanding indications and novel applications of MRgFUS, including low-intensity modalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of randomized controlled trials and preliminary investigations on MR-guided focused ultrasound.
• Description of the thermoablation mechanism of high-intensity focused ultrasound.
• Exploration of low-intensity focused ultrasound for blood-brain barrier opening and neuromodulation.

Main Results:

• MRgFUS has demonstrated safety and symptomatic efficacy, particularly for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease.
• The application of MRgFUS is expanding globally to various centers and indications.
• Preliminary investigations show potential for treating other tremor types and dystonia.

Conclusions:

• MR-guided focused ultrasound is a safe and effective treatment for specific movement disorders.
• The technology's versatility, including low-intensity applications, suggests a significant future role in treating movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
• MRgFUS represents a promising advancement in neurofunctional treatments.