A new ultrasound “helmet” may allow treatment of neurological conditions without surgery, including Parkinson’s disease, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, depression, chronic pain, and addiction.
The device targets brain regions 1,000 times smaller than standard ultrasound methods, potentially replacing invasive deep brain stimulation (DBS). Unlike DBS, which implants electrodes deep in the brain, the helmet delivers precise mechanical pulses while worn inside an MRI scanner.
In tests on seven volunteers, the system directed ultrasound to a tiny area the size of a grain of rice in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a key visual pathway. The pulses produced lasting effects in the visual cortex, demonstrating remarkable accuracy. Researchers say targeting motor regions in Parkinson’s patients could reduce tremors.
Developed over a decade by teams at Oxford University and University College London, the helmet is one-of-a-kind and designed with patient comfort in mind. Future versions may use AI to operate independently, potentially allowing home use.
Researchers hope further studies will refine the system into a practical clinical tool that could complement or replace invasive brain implants.
