The Higher Authority for Health has agreed High intensity focused ultrasound treatment reimbursement For people with essential tremor, a common neuropathology that causes tremble Uncontrollable. Professor Marc Vérin, neuroscientist at the University of Orleans, founder of the Clinical and Experimental Neuroplasticity Research Unit of the Brain and Vice President of the University Hospital of Orleans, explains Figaro Health About 1,000 patients are resistant to traditional treatments or have contraindications Currently available on the market.
This non-invasive treatment requires no opening of the skull or incision of the skin. Create small so-called therapeutic lesions in strategic locations Cerebral. MRI also helps guide doctors and provides images of this central organ.
High-frequency sound waves cause tissue vibration, resulting in heat and cause necrosis or organizational death without damaging neighboring cells.
Treatment is carried out in two stages. “Ultrasonic targets are initially located by slightly increasing brain temperature To check whether we indeed achieve the desired therapeutic effect: a transient reduction in tremors without adverse effects,” the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) states in a press release. When the therapeutic effect is satisfactory, Temperature rises to approximately 56°C. The ultrasound then causes about 2 to 6 millimeters of thermal damage and interrupts abnormal brain circuits, causing tremble.
A recent clinical trial of approximately 15 patients allowed us to observe Reduce tremors in arms and handsmaking daily activities easier, such as writing or pouring a glass of water. Some participants were also able to practice more complex exercises, e.g. play an instrument.
A common disease that affects 1 in 200 people
So reimbursement for this technology seems like good news for people living with this disabling condition. According to the Brain Research Institute, after age 40, an estimated 4% of the population suffers from essential tremor. “This disease remains poorly understood by the general public and the medical community outside of neurologists. Unfortunately, diagnosis is often too late.”, points out Dr. David Grabli, a neurologist in Pitié-Salpêtrière, on the website of the Association of Patients with Essential Tremor.
Diagnosis is clinicalthat is, based on symptoms. It is often guided by the presence of other cases in the family and can be distinguished from other neuropathologies, e.g. Parkinson’s disease. “When I do daily movements, my hands shake. It’s not because of my age. I’m not an alcoholicI’m not emotional, I’m not on drugs… I have essential tremor”, one patient testified on the association’s website.
New therapeutic targets for other neuropathologies
This promising technology could also show Benefits for other brain diseases,in particular Parkinson’s disease. “In the long term, low-power ultrasound could also be used to treat patients with deep melancholy Resistant to medications or treatments addiction or disturbance of consciousness,” France’s National Center for Scientific Research emphasized in a press release.
Researchers from the Institute of Medical Physics created New startup “Sonomind” Development of a compact instrument specifically designed for focused low-power transcranial ultrasound, Designed to help doctors find new treatment pathways and improving the lives of patients with neurological diseases.
