By Serdar Dincel
ISTANBUL (AA) - An innovative ultrasound “helmet” could transform the non-invasive treatment of Parkinson’s disease, a new research study said.
According to the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, "the newly developed system can reach brain regions 30 times smaller than conventional deep-brain devices," The Guardian reported on Friday.
The device can target specific brain regions with up to 1,000 times greater precision than traditional ultrasound, presenting a promising alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating neurological disorders, the report said.
In addition to Parkinson’s disease, this cutting-edge technology could also revolutionize the management and treatment of other conditions, including Tourette syndrome, chronic pain, depression, and Alzheimer’s.
DBS is a highly invasive surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted into specific regions of the brain. These electrodes deliver controlled electrical pulses that modulate abnormal brain activity to help alleviate symptoms.
Unlike DBS, the new helmet eliminates the option of undergoing surgery.
In trials, the researchers achieved remarkable success, as the waves precisely reached the lateral geniculate nucleus, demonstrating the device's effectiveness.