What was the most exciting focused ultrasound news in 2022? Last year’s most-read articles shared news about Parkinson’s disease and adult and pediatric brain tumors. Readers were also interested in breakthrough applications of focused ultrasound, commercialization, reimbursement, and celebrity interest in the technology.
Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson’s Dementia: First-in-Human Data Published
People living with Parkinson’s disease sometimes develop memory loss, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and eventually dementia. A collaborative team of researchers led by Prof. José Obeso, MD, PhD, successfully used focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in people with Parkinson’s dementia, and the procedure was well tolerated. Read the Article >
Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson’s Disease: Results of First Clinical Trial to Deliver Therapeutics
The results from an early-stage clinical trial investigating focused ultrasound to address a possible underlying cause of Parkinson’s disease were published in Movement Disorders. Nir Lipsman, MD, PhD, led a team that tested the safety and efficacy of focused ultrasound–induced BBB opening to deliver enzyme replacement therapy. The procedure was well-tolerated, and a larger study is being planned. Read the Article >
DJ Steve Aoki Shares Potential of Focused Ultrasound in New Video
Grammy-nominated DJ, producer, and philanthropist Steve Aoki released a video illustrating how West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is using focused ultrasound technology to treat conditions like essential tremor, Alzheimer’s disease, and addiction. Watch the Video >
New Trial of Focused Ultrasound for Pediatric Brain Cancer
Researchers at Children’s National Hospital, led by Roger Packer, MD, began a clinical trial to address deadly pediatric brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). The trial is using focused ultrasound—induced sonodynamic therapy (SDT) to kill tumor cells. Read the Article >
The Complex Ecosystem of a Medical Device Startup
This blog series by Mark Carol, MD, addresses the processes, trials, and tribulations involved in bringing a new medical technology like focused ultrasound to market. Read the Blog Post >
Medicare Proposes Reimbursement Rate Increase for HIFU Prostate Treatments
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed and approved a rule that increased the reimbursement rate that treatment sites receive for performing focused ultrasound for the prostate. Read the Article >
UVA Health, Focused Ultrasound Foundation Partner to Create World’s First Focused Ultrasound Cancer Immunotherapy Center
UVA Health and the Foundation launched the Focused Ultrasound Cancer Immunotherapy Center, the world’s first center dedicated specifically to advancing a focused ultrasound and cancer immunotherapy treatment approach, to revolutionize 21st-century cancer care. Read the Article >
Webinar on Focused Ultrasound and Alzheimer’s Disease
On World Alzheimer’s Day, the Foundation partnered with USAgainstAlzheimer’s and the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation to host a webinar on focused ultrasound for Alzheimer’s disease. Watch the Webinar >
Clinical Trial of Sonodynamic Therapy for Glioblastoma Begins in Milan
In this trial funded by the Foundation, researchers led by Francesco Prada, MD, are using SDT in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastomas, a primary malignant brain tumor. Read the Article >
Focused Ultrasound: A Potential Non-Drug Therapy for Diabetes
A large, multicenter team of researchers partnered with GE Research to study the use of focused ultrasound neuromodulation for the treatment of diabetes. The results of the preclinical study were published in Nature Biomedical Engineering. Read the Article >