November 24, 2021 - Novel Research on Neurological Disorders Featured in JNS - and more news

November 24, 2021 IN THIS ISSUE Top News | Foundation News | Patient News | Research News  Industry News | Webinars | Events     Innovative Focused Ultrasound Research for Neurological Disorders Featured in Journal of Neurosurgery A research team from the University of Virginia and Stanford University has published innovative preclinical research for treating neurological disorders in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Their treatment method called “precise intracerebral noninvasive guided (PING) surgery” uses MR-guided, low-intensity focused ultrasound plus microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier and deliver a neurotoxin to a targeted area of the brain. READ MORE >  Foundation News Sona Wang Joins Foundation’s Council Ms. Wang brings more than 30 years of institutional venture investment experience. The Council provides strategic advice, assists with raising funds, and builds awareness.  READ MORE > Focused Ultrasound and Epilepsy: Watch Webinar Four experts in the field and a patient with epilepsy participated in this virtual event. The webinar addressed current research and novel strategies on the horizon. WATCH THE RECORDING >  Focused Ultrasound in Pediatrics: Watch Webinar The Foundation and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine partnered to host "Focused Ultrasound for the Pediatric and Young Adult Population." Lauren Powlovich, MD, the Foundation's associate chief medical officer, presented. WATCH THE RECORDING >  Patient News Six Years after Clinical Trial, Parkinson’s Patient is Thankful for Focused Ultrasound In 2015, Steve participated in a focused ultrasound trial to alleviate his dyskinesia symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Six years later, the treatment was granted FDA approval, thanks in large part to brave patients like him. See how Steve is doing today and why he recalls that day as “life-changing.” READ MORE >  More Patient News Media coverage of the FDA's expanded approval of focused ultrasound for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in UVA Today, UVA Health, MedPage Today, MPR, and Parkinson’s News Today. Treating a Rare Bone Tumor with an Innovative Noninvasive Procedure | AACR Cancer Progress Report 2021 Carol Klein Focused Ultrasound Documentary | Insightec Research News Bilateral Focused Ultrasound Trial for Parkinson’s Disease Seeks Patients An international clinical trial is investigating the use of focused ultrasound on an alternative target in the brain to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In the bilateral trial, participants will be evaluated for treatment on the other side of the brain six months after initial treatment. Sites in Maryland, New York, California, and Taiwan are now seeking patients. READ MORE >  Epilepsy Trial for Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Shows Reduced Seizures Researchers in Taiwan published data from a small pilot clinical trial testing the use of focused ultrasound neuromodulation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Participants received low-intensity focused ultrasound in the seizure origination zone from the NaviFUS neuronavigation-guided system. READ MORE >  Focused Ultrasound Low Back Pain Study Results Published FUSMobile, a company developing a focused ultrasound platform for neural tissue ablation has published results from its first clinical trial for the treatment of low back pain. The study enrolled 10 participants, who reported no significant device- or procedure-related adverse events. The Foundation funded a portion of this trial. READ MORE >  Focused Ultrasound Clinical Trial Recognized at Annual Veterinary Meeting A Foundation-funded project earned a clinical science award at the recent Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) annual meeting. The team at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is exploring focused ultrasound-induced histotripsy to treat sarcomas in canines. READ MORE >  Meeting Report: ASTRO 2021 The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting was held in Chicago October 24-27. A presentation by Hong-Jian Wei, PhD, on blood-brain barrier opening for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) won a Basic/Translational Science Award.   READ MORE > NIH’s UNITE Initiative Encourages Participation in Listening Sessions The UNITE initiative aims to identify and address structural racism within the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported community and beyond. Key stakeholders within the biomedical research community are invited to share their insights in a series of listening sessions over the next few months.   LEARN MORE > Employment Opportunities Available in the Focused Ultrasound Community The Foundation curates a hub of available positions within the international focused ultrasound community. See nearly 20 positions on our job board.   Please submit any relevant opportunities at your organization. VIEW AND SUBMIT OPEN POSITIONS > Visit our free, online research library of focused ultrasound publications.   More Research News Ultrasound and Blood Test Could Replace Invasive Brain Cancer Biopsies | New Atlas Noninvasive Brain Biopsy Shows Improved Sensitivity in Tumor Detection | NewsWise High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Fibroid Devascularization | Contemporary OB/GYN Intratumoural Activation of CAR T Cells Via Focused Ultrasound | Nature Biomedical Engineering Cover from a preclinical article by Wu et al. Industry News 21st Century Cures Act 2.0 Bill Introduced, Paves Reimbursement Pathway Lawmakers have formally introduced the Cures 2.0 bill.   Noteworthy in the legislation is improved communication between the FDA and Medicare and a Medicare reimbursement pathway for breakthrough devices. The Foundation supports the Cures 2.0 bill, understands its potential impact on the community, and encourages collective advocacy in order to see it become a law. READ MORE >  SEE THE BILL >  More Industry News Profound Medical Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results | GlobeNewswire Webinars Concerns of the Successful High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Ablations in Clinics Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 1:00 am Eastern. Presented by Yufeng Zhou, PhD, from Chongqing Medical University Hosted by the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound LEARN MORE AND REGISTER > Recent Webinar Recordings Expanding the Horizon: Focused Ultrasound and Medication-Refractory Epilepsy | Presented by Vibhor Krishna, MD, Michael Sperling, MD, Travis Tierney, MD, Max Wintermark, MD, and patient Cory | Hosted by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation (1 hour 2 minutes) Focused Ultrasound for the Pediatric and Young Adult Population | Presented by Lauren Powlovich, MD | Hosted by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the Focused Ultrasound Foundation (1 hour) Do you have news for our newsletter? Tell us about it!   Upcoming Events November 28 – December 2, 2021 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL November 29 – December 3, 2021 Acoustical Society of America (ASA) 181st Meeting, Seattle, WA December 2, 2021 Concerns of the Successful High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Ablations in Clinics | WEBINAR December 6-9, 2021 4th International Brain Stimulation Conference, Charleston, SC