admin March 27, 2026
How Non-Surgical Treatment is Changing Parkinson’s Care with MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound
Parkinson’s disease causes the degeneration and death of essential nerve cells. It is a progressive illness and currently affects millions of people. In India, the awareness of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders is on the rise, and consequently, there is a greater demand for specialized care. In the past, the management of Parkinson’s disease meant medication and/or a surgical procedure, such as deep-brain stimulation. Now, newer and safer options are available.
MR-guided Focused Ultrasound is an example of a safe, non-invasive, and pioneering method of treating some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It provides a new alternative to patients who are not candidates for surgical procedures and to those who would like to avoid invasive options.
What happens to a person with Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease affects the ability to control movement. The death of certain brain cells is the primary cause of Parkinson’s. In general, these cells are responsible for the production of a chemical called dopamine. As dopamine secretion is reduced, the brain is not able to communicate effectively with the muscles, and this causes increased difficulty with movement.
Parkinson’s disease will impact daily tasks such as walking, writing, communication, and balance, and will develop over time. Symptoms typically appear in people over 60, but there have been cases of younger people being impacted as well.
Some Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Signs of Parkinson’s disease build gradually and in varying amounts and types. Signs of Parkinson’s disease can look like the effects of ageing.
Some of the most common symptoms include the following:
- Hands or fingers shake. There is no control over it, and it usually starts in the hands. This is usually the first thing noticed.
- Movement takes longer than it usually does. Everyday tasks like walking, getting dressed, or eating can take longer than they did.
- There is a loss of flexibility and increased discomfort as the muscles feel tighter or more rigid.
- There can be walking in a slouched position. People sometimes have trouble staying upright.
- People will speak more quietly and have a softer voice. Handwriting may become smaller or more cramped.
There may be disturbed sleep, loss of energy, mood swings, no sense of smell, the smell may be diminished, and there may be constipation, in addition to the motor symptoms described.
How Doctors Determine if Someone has Parkinson’s Disease
Figuring out if someone has Parkinson’s Disease can be challenging because specialists do not have access to laboratory tests as proof of the disease. Specialists have to rely on their tests and assessments.
A neurologist will usually deal with:
- Patient’s historical and current issues
- Patterns of movements and level of coordination
- Muscles that are stiff and shaky
- How the patient walks and maintains their balance
Occasionally, a neurologist may include MRIs and other types of imaging to see if there are other issues in the nervous system.
For patients with Parkinson’s disease, receiving a diagnosis in the early stages of the disease is very important because receiving treatment as early as possible helps manage the disease more effectively.
How Parkinson’s Disease Has Been Treated
The treatment of Parkinson’s Disease has largely depended on the age of the disease. For newer cases, patients are usually given medication that will help their bodies produce more dopamine. The more the patient is able to move, the less medication is needed to combat stiffness and rigidity.
Patients with older cases are usually called advanced cases and may be recommended to have their brain functions altered. This is also called deep brain stimulation. Brain stimulation has three electrodes implanted in three different areas of the brain to help control and manage the brain’s abnormally functioning cells. This is a very risky procedure and may not be possible for the patient.
Patients are usually given three different types of brain stimulation, and it has to be done very carefully. Doctors are not patients, and they have to be very careful about the effects on the patient.
What is MR Guided Focused Ultrasound?
MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new non-invasive brain procedure that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to treat brain areas associated with tremors and movement disorders.
This procedure can be done from inside the MRI machine, which is used to guide the ultrasound movement to the desired treatment location.
The ultrasound waves create heat and disrupt the abnormal signals from the brain that trigger tremors. The definitive advantage of the procedure is the absence of surgical scars and the fact that no foreign implants are used.
How This Technology is Changing Healthcare for People with Parkinson’s
MRgFUS is non-invasive and is changing the way Parkinson’s and tremors are cared for.
There is no need for surgical incision, there are no implants used, and general anesthesia is not required.
Because of the real-time MRI, the ultrasound can be focused to an exact location, and there is no need to perform further corrective surgeries due to a surgical error. Recovery is quicker, and in many cases, people return home the very same day.
Immediate Symptom Improvement
Patients can be reassured that tremors may improve even during treatment.
Patients who suffer from severe tremors that are not manageable with medication can consider MR-guided Focused Ultrasound as a treatment option.
Innovation regarding technology has greatly improved these types of treatment options. Vattikuti Technologies has provided support for the refinement and adoption of innovative healthcare technology, especially as it relates to the precision and outcomes of the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Through their support for technology that is more minimally invasive, Vattikuti Technologies is helping to improve treatment options for patients.
The Future of Parkinson’s Treatment
Speaking of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound, it is safe to say that the treatment option is still a work in progress; however, it gives us more options when it comes to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. As it stands, it is not possible to treat many of the symptoms in this same manner, but as time goes on, it is likely that we will be able to.
Vattikuti Technologies has helped to improve the ecosystem that Parkinson’s patients experience with their innovative approach. Better control over the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease will ultimately lead to more patients living independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is MR-guided Focused Ultrasound treatment for Parkinson’s disease?
MR-guided Focused Ultrasound is a non-invasive technique utilizing ultrasound waves to target and address the tremors from Parkinson’s disease.
2. Who is a suitable patient for MR-guided Focused Ultrasound?
Most patients who suffer from severe tremors and are non-responsive to medication are deemed appropriate candidates for this technique, particularly patients who may not be suitable for standard brain surgery.
3. Is MR-guided Focused Ultrasound treatment available in India?
Yes, this new neurological treatment is available in India at certain advanced specialized medical centres. With the advancement and support of Vattikuti Technologies, India is now able to offer new minimally invasive neurological treatments.