focused ultrasound Sonimodul clinic Switzerland

[NewHope1961]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between what they are doing in Switzerland vs having focused ultrasound treatment here in the US? Is the procedure in the US more focused on tremor only? I understand there are several hospitals in the US offering focused ultrasound treatment. Thx

[jimcaster]

There are at least 3 different types or targets of focused ultrasound for Parkinson's Disease. At Sonimodul, the Palladio Thalamic Tract is targeted. That type of focused ultrasound is known as a Palladio Thalamic Tractotomy (PTT). PTT is currently in trials in the USA, but is not yet approved. One type of focused ultrasound is approved in the USA and is primarily effective at treating tremors. The Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson's Disease group on Facebook has an excellent description of the various types of focused ultrasound, including PTT, which has been performed by Doctors Jeanmonod and Gallay at Sonimodul in Switzerland more than anyone/anywhere else.

[NewHope1961 in reply to jimcaster]

thanks, it’s what I suspected

[jimcaster in reply to NewHope1961]

From the Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson's Disease Facebook page:

Focused ultrasound is a tool - it is a way of directing focused ultrasound with MRI visualization. It can be used for many surgeries all with different outcomes. To talk about FUS without naming the surgery tells nothing, it is like saying a doctor used a scalpel without naming the surgery.

Focused ultrasound is a way to do surgery. You are permenantly destroying a part of the brain. It is something to consider vs DBS. It is not done with early disease. It is brain surgery we are talking about. No incision is needed and side effects are rare but there is risk.

There are three surgeries for Parkinson's. PTT (pallidothalamic tractotomy) in Switzerland is the only one that can be done on both sides and treats tremor, dystonia, dyskinesia, bradykinesis and rigidity and results hold for at least six years (ie halts progression of symptoms).A trial has just been announced for PTT in the US. Thalmotomy in the US and other countries is just for tremor dominant PD and is FDA approved and can only be done on one side. Pallidiotomy is US is for dyskinesia and just got approved in the US, but seems to treat different symptoms as well, also only one side can be done. I have less info on the surgeries besides PTT since I did not go through them (if you did and have something to add let me know). At this point only medication resistant folks qualify for FUS surgeries (i.e. meds no longer work or side effects very severe). So if you have never been on meds this is not an option.

Links

sonimodul.ch/parkinson/

fusfoundation.org/diseases-...

[NewHope1961 in reply to jimcaster]

very helpful, thx

[Hidden]

youtube.com/watch?v=9fP9LHF...(Not working as expected?)

[bibsie in reply to Hidden]

Awesome. Ottimo!