A new ultrasound “helmet” could offer a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, a study shows.
The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound, delivering precise mechanical pulses without the need for implanted electrodes. It may also help with Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, depression, chronic pain, and addiction.
The study, published in Nature Communications, tested the system on seven volunteers. Researchers directed ultrasound waves at the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)—a tiny brain region about the size of a grain of rice—and achieved remarkable accuracy. Modulating the LGN produced lasting effects in the visual cortex, suggesting similar results could be achieved in motor regions for Parkinson’s patients.
Developed over a decade by Oxford University and University College London, the helmet contains 256 sources and fits inside an MRI scanner. Future versions could use AI to allow patients to use it at home.
The researchers emphasized patient-focused design, aiming to make the helmet comfortable and widely applicable. They hope further studies will refine it into a practical clinical tool that could complement or replace invasive brain implants.
