On April 3, 2024, the Foundation partnered with G2G Consulting to host a congressional briefing to educate policymakers on the potential of focused ultrasound therapy in treating various medical conditions.
The briefing featured opening remarks from Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a longtime champion of the technology. Senator Warner shared how focused ultrasound is a priority for the state and highlighted the important research taking place at multiple institutions in the region.
Following the Senator’s remarks, four presenters shared a variety of ways in which focused ultrasound impacts the brain:
- Jessica Foley, PhD, chief scientific officer and managing director of government affairs at the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, provided an overview of focused ultrasound technology, its mechanisms of action, and its potential to treat a wide range of medical conditions. She highlighted the nine FDA-cleared applications and ongoing research in more than 180 clinical applications.
- Terri Freson shared her story of participating in a clinical trial at the University of Maryland using focused ultrasound ablation to treat neuropathic pain. The treatment significantly reduced her pain levels and improved her quality of life, demonstrating the real-world impact of this technology.
- Roger Packer, MD, director of the Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute and the Brain Tumor Institute at Children’s National Hospital, discussed the potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound–induced blood-brain barrier opening in treating childhood brain tumors, particularly diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs).
- Noah Philip, MD, professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University and lead for mental health research at the Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology at VA Providence, presented his research on using low-intensity focused ultrasound neuromodulation to treat depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The briefing was an important part of the Foundation’s advocacy efforts, and we urge Congress to support policies that increase research funding and enable timely reimbursement to expand patient access to focused ultrasound,” said Dr. Foley. “By supporting these initiatives, Congress can play a crucial role in accelerating the development and adoption of the technology, ultimately improving patient outcomes and transforming the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions.”
More than 150 attendees joined the Zoom link during the presentation, which is now posted on the Foundation’s YouTube Channel.
If you would like to become involved in the Foundation’s advocacy efforts, please contact Jessica Foley at jfoley@fusfoundation.org.