We are among the first in the world to treat epilepsy with ultrasound!
We are among the first in the world to treat epilepsy with focused ultrasound!
In the prestigious journal cell.com ( Heliyon) review released “Therapeutic use of transcranial ultrasound for epilepsy: A review”. Among the 5 main publications reviewed in this article mentioned Rezida Maratovna Galimova with the team, who performed a unique successful surgery for the treatment of involuntary laughter and crying caused by a rare tumor — hypothalamic hamartoma (see the last line R. Galimova).
At the time of the operation, this tumor was treated using the non-invasive method of MRgFUS (MRI-guided focused ultrasound) by only three centers in the world, including ours. We are proud to be among the pioneers in the treatment of epilepsy with MRgFUS (sometimes referred to in Russia as MRI-guided focused ultrasound).
Citation in a literature review in a journal of such global standing is success and recognition.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person experiences seizures or fits. This occurs because the electrical signals in the brain start to malfunction. For some people, epilepsy is treated with medication, but for about 40% of patients, medications do not help. This is called drug-resistant epilepsy
If medications do not work, doctors look for other treatment methods. Sometimes complex brain surgeries are necessary, but such operations can be risky, especially if the issue is deep within the brain tissue. This is why scientists are searching for new, less dangerous treatment methods.
MRI-guided focused ultrasound — a new method for treating epilepsy
Focused ultrasound is a technology that allows treating the brain without incisions. Ultrasound waves are directed to a specific point in the brain to affect the tissues. This procedure is performed under MRI guidance to see everything happening in the brain.
There are two types of focused ultrasound:
- High-intensity ultrasound ( HiFU) — is used for heating and destroying tissues, such as tumors
- Low-intensity ultrasound ( LiFU) — is used to alter brain function (neuromodulation) to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.
Why is this important?
Focused ultrasound is a non-invasive method, meaning it does not require surgery or incisions. Ultrasound can pass through the skull bones and reach deep areas of the brain where epilepsy foci are located. This method is already used to treat other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, pain, brain tumors, and even depression. Now it has begun to be used for the treatment of epilepsy, and our clinic has become one of the first in the world to use this technology.
How does it work?
During the procedure, ultrasound waves are precisely directed to the desired point in the brain. They can:
- Opening the blood-brain barrier — this is a protective layer that usually does not allow medications to enter the brain. Ultrasound temporarily opens this barrier so that medications can reach the exact target location
- Modify neuron function — it helps reduce the number of seizures in patients with epilepsy
- Destroy tumors — High-intensity ultrasound heats tissues and destroys them.
Quote from the article: Recently, Galimova and co-authors published a case of a patient who underwent nine sessions of ultrasound treatment on a hamartoma, after which he immediately got rid of episodes of involuntary laughter and crying for up to seven months after treatment … Galimova and co-authors reported positive changes in social and professional activities.
A Unique Case in Our Clinic
We performed surgery on a patient with a rare tumor — hypothalamic hamartoma . This tumor causes unusual symptoms such as uncontrolled laughter and crying. Treatment of such tumors used to require complex surgery, but we used MRgFUS to eliminate it “epileptic signals “. At the time of the operation, this method was used by only three centers in the world, including ours. This makes us pioneers in the use of focused ultrasound for the treatment of epilepsy.
What next?
Research shows that focused ultrasound may become one of the most promising methods for treating epilepsy. It is safe, precise, and does not require a long recovery period after the procedure. We continue to work on improving this technology to help patients with epilepsy who do not respond to medication.
If you or your loved ones have questions about epilepsy treatment, we are always ready to help. Our team constantly studies new treatment methods and applies the most advanced technologies. We are proud to improve the lives of patients with epilepsy!