Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is set to introduce focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.
This minimally invasive MR-guided procedure is performed in an outpatient clinic and utilizes sound waves to target specific brain areas responsible for movement disorders, eliminating the need for surgical incisions or anesthesia.
“This technology is rapidly growing in the treatment of essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, and other indications are being studied. Vanderbilt’s movement disorder program is among the first in the country to be using the latest version of this focused ultrasound that was introduced this past year and is focused on improved patient experience,” said Dr. Dario Englot, associate professor of neurological surgery and the director of functional neurosurgery at VUMC. "We are excited for the ways it can impact and improve patients’ quality of life.”
Dr. Englot, who also leads the Brain Imaging and Electrophysiology Network (BIEN) laboratory, and Dr. Travis Hassell, assistant professor of neurology and clinical director of the Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound Program, are evaluating patients as candidates for FUS. The treatment is expected to be available by late summer or fall.
Essential tremor, a prevalent movement disorder affecting approximately 7 million people in the U.S., commonly impacts the arms but can also affect the head, legs, torso, and voice. Parkinson’s disease, affecting nearly 1 million Americans, is a chronic, progressive brain disorder that impairs movement and quality of life.
The recent approval of FUS for tremor-dominant Parkinson’s provides a new treatment option for patients experiencing movement interruptions associated with the condition. VUMC is among the top three centers in the U.S. by volume offering advanced procedures for movement disorders.
"As a leader in movement disorder care, we are excited to now offer a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive therapy option for our patients who are suffering from tremor and are looking for new definitive treatment alternatives,” said Hassell.
