How Non-Invasive Brain Treatment is Transforming Movement Disorder Care in India

How Non-Invasive Brain Treatment is Transforming Movement Disorder Care in India

Movement disorders are caused by the neurological system and affect how people move. Movement disorders can manifest in excessive movements or, on the other hand, be stiff, slow, and difficult. This condition can significantly affect one’s ability to perform daily functions, such as writing, walking, eating, or even speaking.

The last several years have seen significant improvement in the ways that help those with movement disorders. Focused Ultrasound is the most innovative, modern, and minimally invasive way to help these patients. Focused Ultrasound helps doctors avoid traditional brain surgeries by pinpointing distinct areas to help control and correct abnormal movements in the brain.

An Overview of Movement Disorders

The brain has many areas that help control the activities of our muscles. When these areas of the brain become dysfunctional, abnormal and jerky movements may take place.

Movement disorders are a group of neurological disorders, of which some of the most common include the following:

Parkinson’s Disease

People with Parkinson’s disease have nervous system issues because some of their brain cells get damaged. These cells are responsible for the production of the neurotransmitter Dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for the smoothness and coordination of your movements.

Essential Tremor

Essential tremor will cause shaking of the hands. This shaking will worsen during activities like writing, eating, and holding something.

Dystonia

Dystonia is a disorder that causes muscle uncontrolled involuntary contractions, which will lead to abnormal twisting movements and posture.

These neurological disorders range from mild to very severe and will most certainly grow worse and continue to affect the brain’s control over movement.

Common Symptoms of Movement Disorders

Because of the fact that there are so many movement disorders and that they affect the brain function in control of bodily movement so differently, the symptoms will oftentimes be different and will develop at different rates.

Common symptoms of movement disorders include:

• Tremors: Tremors are involuntary shaking movements that usually affect an individual’s hands, arms, and head, and can even affect an individual’s voice.

• Slowness of Movements: Some people with movement disorders may find that tasks like getting dressed or going for a walk take considerably longer than usual.

• Muscle Stiffness: Muscle stiffness can cause significant discomfort and limit ease of movement.

• Involuntary Muscle Contractions: Certain disorders may lead to repetitive and twisting movements.

• Balance and Coordination Problems: Individuals may experience loss of coordination and difficulty maintaining balance.

• Changes in Speech and Facial Expression: Movement disorders can affect the muscles used for speech and facial expressions; proper medical evaluation is important.

Diagnosis of Movement Disorders

Generally, the diagnosis of a movement disorder requires a detailed evaluation by a neurologist or a specialist in movement disorders.

Initially, a physician will review a patient’s medical history and conduct a thorough interview. This is typically the longest part of the exam, and the physician may ask a series of questions about the onset and progression of symptoms and their impact on one’s daily living.

A neurologist will be able to assess whether muscle strength, reflexes, coordination, or balance are deficient. This is done through a neurological exam.

If necessary, additional examinations and laboratory studies may be requested, including:

• An MRI or CT scan to evaluate a patient’s cerebral structures
• Blood tests to evaluate different pathologies
• Neuropsychological tests

These tests are necessary to provide the physician with information to formulate a diagnosis and determine a treatment plan.

Conventional Treatment Options

For most movement disorders, the first line of treatment is pharmacotherapy. Medications used in the treatment of movement disorders are aimed at controlling the levels of certain brain neurotransmitters, such as the movement-regulating neurotransmitter dopamine.

In addition to pharmacotherapy, a physician may recommend adjunct therapies:

• Physiotherapy: Aimed at improving and maintaining the patient’s level of mobility and muscle strength.

• Speech Therapy: Aimed at improving the level of communicative competence.

• Occupational Therapy: Aimed at helping a patient perform a revised or new set of daily living tasks.

Some patients considering surgery procedures like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may have medication-resistant conditions.

But not every patient is suitable for surgery. This has inspired researchers and doctors to find ways to do less surgery.

Focused Ultrasound

MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new way to treat patients noninvasively for certain movement disorders like tremors.

MRgFUS can treat patients with essential tremors and Parkinson’s symptoms.

Multiple ultrasound beams can be directed at a tiny area in a patient’s brain that causes movements.

While patients lie in an MRI scanner, doctors can see their brains in real time.

The beams are directed to a specific area of the brain and create heat to change the abnormal brain signals that are causing tremors, and do so without the need for surgery.

Less Surgery is Better

There are many reasons focused ultrasound is preferred over other methods to treat patients, and it is a new area of study.

• There are no incisions and no implanted devices.
• MRI guidance is used to determine the precise region of the target brain symptoms.
• Patients are recovering quicker, but surgery is quicker.
• Some patients, during treatment, notice immediate improvement of tremors.

These advantages are the reason focused ultrasound is becoming a new treatment for patients with disorders of movement.

Technological innovations are the primary driving force for improving treatment. Advanced technological innovations are the primary driving force behind improving treatment. Advanced medical technology, focused on the improvement of precision and safety of the underlying neurological procedures, is supported by Vattikuti Technologies. Vattikuti Technologies, by fostering innovation in less intrusive methods and robotic-assisted surgery, enhances the available options in the treatment of patients with disorders of movement.

The Treatment of Disorders of Movement is Improving

It is now possible to target movement disorders less invasively and more effectively with the help of advances in diagnostics and therapy. Focused ultrasound is one such innovative therapy.

The key steps in the effective management of these conditions are early diagnosis and consultation with a neurologist. The future is promising for the care of patients with movement disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What movement disorders are most frequent?
Movement disorders that are most frequent are Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and Huntington’s disease.

2. Are focused ultrasounds a type of surgery?
No. MR-guided focused ultrasounds are non-invasive, meaning there are no surgical cuts and no surgical devices.

3. Who are the ideal candidates for focused ultrasound treatments?
Those that have severe tremors due to essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease are likely candidates. Because of the advancements made through the sponsorship of Vattikuti Technologies, the precision and availability of these cutting-edge treatments are greatly improved.