A new ultrasound “helmet” could offer a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, a study shows.
The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound, allowing precise modulation without surgery. It also shows potential for treating depression, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, and addiction. Unlike DBS, which requires electrodes implanted deep in the brain, the helmet delivers mechanical pulses while worn inside an MRI scanner.
In early tests on seven volunteers, researchers directed ultrasound waves at the lateral geniculate nucleus, a tiny brain region, with remarkable accuracy. Follow-up experiments showed lasting effects on connected brain areas, suggesting similar approaches could reduce Parkinson’s tremors.
Developed over a decade by teams at Oxford University and University College London, the helmet is designed for comfort and could eventually incorporate AI, allowing patients to use it at home. Researchers aim to refine it into a practical clinical tool that may complement or replace invasive brain implants.
