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 suggests.
The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound and could also help treat depression, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, and addiction. Unlike DBS, which requires electrodes to be implanted deep in the brain, the helmet sends precise mechanical pulses into targeted areas.
In tests on seven volunteers, researchers directed ultrasound waves at a tiny region in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a visual pathway in the brain, achieving remarkable accuracy. Follow-up experiments showed lasting effects in the visual cortex, suggesting that targeting motor regions could similarly reduce Parkinson’s tremors.
The helmet, developed over a decade by teams from Oxford University and University College London, contains 256 sources and fits inside an MRI scanner. Future versions may integrate AI to allow at-home use without MRI guidance.
Researchers say the device represents a major neuroscience milestone, with the potential to replace invasive brain implants and expand treatments for conditions including Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, stroke recovery, and pain management.
