Latest Announcements

UPDATE: Focused Ultrasound Surgery Trial Database
Dr. Jeff Elias at the University of Virginia Health System is the principal investigator of one or more clinical trials investigating the use of Focused Ultrasound Surgery for the treatment of Movement Disorders. In order to more efficiently communicate with patients who are interested in these trials, and to conduct an initial pre-screening for these trials, we have developed a database. To learn more about the database and register, visit http://uvahealth.com/clinical-trials/focused-ultrasound-surgery-trial

For more information please contact Johanna Loomba, Department of Neurosurgery study coordinator, at fusbrain@virginia.edu or call 434.243.1435.


UPDATE:  Enrollment in first MRgFUS essential tremor feasibility trial completed
InSightec announced on 3 January that it has completed enrollment in the world’s first feasibility study evaluating the use of magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treatment of essential tremor, using ExAblate Neuro at University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Fifteen patients underwent a non-invasive ExAblate treatment to evaluate safety and initial effectiveness of this investigational device. Most patients, who suffered for at least 10 years, experienced tremor improvement and no severe adverse events. They are being followed up for three months.

The device combines high intensity focused ultrasound for deep accurate lesioning of the brain, with continuous real-time magnetic resonance guidance for visualizing brain anatomy, planning and monitoring treatment and outcome. The lesioning is performed through an intact skull with no incisions or ionising radiation.

“The safety profile of ExAblate Neuro and initial clinical efficacy are extremely encouraging” said Jeff Elias, principal investigator, director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and associate professor of Neurological Surgery and Neurology, University of Virginia. Elias presented interim results at the European MRgFUS symposium in Rome and at the Congress of Neurological Surgery in Washington DC.

The trial was a result of a partnership between the University of Virginia, InSightec, and the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation, which organized and funded the study.


Original Announcement - Study Completed
Dr. Jeff Elias at the University of Virginia Health System is investigating a non-invasive technique to make a small heat-induced lesion in the part of the thalamus related to Essential Tremor (ET). The targeted area of the brain is the same used in other surgical treatments for ET. This investigational technique is novel in that the lesion is made using focused ultrasound waves that converge precisely, creating a heated spot at the target. Because the ultrasound waves can pass through the skull, there is no need to make a skin incision, drill a hole in the skull, or penetrate the brain with a probe. The procedure occurs inside of an MRI machine so that the patient is monitored continuously with real-time brain imaging and temperature mapping.