Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson’s

Posted by parkin41 @parkin41, Feb 22, 2021

Has anyone or does anyone know of anyone who has gone under High Frequency Focused Ultrasound to stop their tremors and has had either positive or negative results from it? I am considering having my dad go under this treatment and would like more information on the effects from it.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 23, 2021

Hello @parkin41,

I appreciate your post about using ultrasound to treat tremors. I had not heard of this before. I did a little research on the internet and I see that Cleveland Clinic has some information about this. Here is the link to the article, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21087-mr-guided-focused-ultrasound-for-treatment-of-tremor. I see that this treatment is being considered for both tremors related to Parkinson's or essential tremors as well.

@parkin41, has your doctor suggested this to you as a treatment, or are you just looking into it?

I would like to invite other members of our Parkinson's group to add their thoughts, @ggopher @bruce0712 @johnjames @margaretob
@oldsalt1947 @glenner075

parkin41 | @parkin41 | Feb 23, 2021

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @parkin41, I appreciate your post about using ultrasound to treat tremors. I had not heard..." + (show)

I read that, thanks. I'm looking into it myself. I just wanted to hear from first hand experience.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 26, 2021

In reply to @parkin41 "I read that, thanks. I'm looking into it myself. I just wanted to hear from first..." + (show)

As it appears to be a fairly new treatment, @parkin41, I'm not sure how much first-hand experience you will get. I wish you well as you seek a good treatment plan for your tremors.

patjack2 | @patjack2 | Sep 30, 2023

Has anyone tried Focused Ultrasound? Are there any downsides to receiving it?

karens1948 | @karens1948 | Mar 31 7:07pm

Are there tests to show you have parkinsons disease?? Dr thinks I may have it..

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 31 11:46pm

In reply to @karens1948 "Are there tests to show you have parkinsons disease?? Dr thinks I may have it.." + (show)

Hi, @karens1948 - you asked about tests for Parkinson's disease, and I thought this Mayo Clinic resource might be useful:

-Parkinson's disease: diagnosis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062
You mentioned your doctor thinks you may have Parkinson's disease. What made your doctor suspect you might have this disease?

jflamini | @jflamini | Apr 3 11:52am

In reply to @patjack2 "Has anyone tried Focused Ultrasound? Are there any downsides to receiving it?" + (show)

I understand Focused Ultrasound is being offered at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. One consideration is that the treatment is permanent and cannot be reversed or "shutoff". On the positive side it is a less invasive procedure with external ultrasound neutralizing a pinpoint location in the brain.
My wife had a very successful deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure at UPENN. Many of her symptoms such as freezing improved and remain resolved five years later. Best wishes, Joe