An ultrasound device that can precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery has been developed by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Oxford, opening up new possibilities for neurological research and treatment of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and depression.
The new technology features 256 elements configured within a special helmet to send focused beams of ultrasound to specific parts of the brain in order to turn neuronal activity up or down. It also includes a soft plastic face mask which helps to target the ultrasound waves more precisely by keeping the head still.
This new technology could transform treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders like Parkinson's disease, depression, and essential tremor, offering unprecedented precision in targeting specific brain circuits that play key roles in these conditions. The ability to precisely modulate deep brain structures without surgery represents a paradigm shift in neuroscience, offering a safe, reversible, and repeatable method for both understanding brain function and developing targeted therapies.
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