A new ultrasound “helmet” could provide a non-surgical alternative for treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, including Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, depression, chronic pain, and addiction.
The device targets brain regions 1,000 times smaller than standard ultrasound and could replace deep brain stimulation (DBS), which requires electrodes to be implanted into the brain. The breakthrough system, detailed in Nature Communications, can hit areas 30 times smaller than previous ultrasound devices.
The helmet, fitted with 256 sources and used inside an MRI scanner, was tested on seven volunteers, precisely directing ultrasound waves to a tiny region in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Modulating this area produced lasting effects in the visual cortex, demonstrating the potential to target motor regions in Parkinson’s patients to reduce tremors.
Developed over a decade by teams from Oxford University and University College London, the helmet is one-of-a-kind. Future versions may incorporate AI, allowing patients to use it at home without MRI guidance. Researchers aim to refine it into a practical clinical tool that could complement or even replace invasive brain implants.
