LOUISVILLE — Norton Neuroscience Institute is the first and only facility in Kentucky to offer MRI-guided high-frequency focused ultrasound for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. This life-changing treatment has been shown to dramatically improve tremor symptoms for patients starting on the day of treatment. The technology was purchased with $2.8 million in funding through the Norton Healthcare Foundation.
High-frequency focused ultrasound is expected to be operational at Norton Neuroscience Institute in fall 2024.
“This procedure is a game changer for our ability to treat patients with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease,” said Abigail J. Rao, M.D., stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon with Norton Neuroscience Institute. “Acquiring this technology advances our mission of giving patients the best possible outcomes, while further establishing Norton Neuroscience Institute as the regional leader in advanced neurological care.”
The treatment is an incisionless surgery, by which several ultrasound beams are focused down to millimeter accuracy, carefully creating a small lesion in a specific part of the brain. The patient lies in an MRI scanner that allows frequent scans to monitor the location, size and temperature of the lesion being created. During that process, the patient wears a helmet-like device filled with cool water that has more than 1,000 ultrasound transmitters, while the surgeon also tests the patient’s tremor and neurologic function. The newly created lesion provides immediate and dramatic relief of hand tremor and other symptoms of movement disorders, allowing for better motor control for life’s daily tasks or hobbies, as well as better quality of life.
The surgery does not require any anesthesia or hospital stay.
“This is truly groundbreaking technology that will allow us to help so many people in new ways,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “As focused ultrasound progresses, we hope to see its benefit in treating other conditions.”
The focused ultrasound surgery has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2016 and is backed by years of data, which has shown most patients experience immediate, significant relief from tremor symptoms. The most common side effects include imbalance and numbness, but these usually subside within a few weeks.
To qualify for the treatment, a patient must have a confirmed diagnosis that is not adequately controlled by medication. The patient’s anatomy is carefully studied, and the surgery is planned, with CT and MRI scans taken prior to the day of the procedure. After the procedure, the patient receives a follow-up MRI to evaluate the lesion.
Patients can schedule an appointment by calling (502) 671-9489, emailing FocusedUltrasound@nortonhealthcare.org or visiting NortonHealthcare.com/FocusedUltrasound.
Established in early 2009, Norton Neuroscience Institute is a leading provider of neurological care with more than 120 subspecialty fellowship-trained neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuropsychologists and advanced practice providers. They give advanced treatment for complex neurological disorders, including ALS; aneurysms; brain tumors; epilepsy; headache and concussion; memory and dementia disorders, movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease; multiple sclerosis; pediatric neurosurgery; spinal injuries and disorders; stroke; and more.
Norton Neuroscience Institute is a leader in the region for providing innovative surgery technology, such as responsive neuro-stimulation, laser interstitial thermal therapy and robotic surgical systems and cutting-edge treatment for brain tumors, including linear accelerator radiation systems and tumor treating field therapies.
As the philanthropic arm of Norton Healthcare’s not-for-profit adult services, the Norton Healthcare Foundation raised more than $10.3 million in 2021 for programs, equipment and facilities, research and education spanning Norton Cancer Institute, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Women’s Care and other health services. This support allows caregivers and the hospitals to stay up to date with medical advances and technology, thereby maintaining the community’s access to high-quality health care. Since 2004, the Norton Healthcare Foundation has funded more than $70 million in support of Norton Healthcare’s adult services.
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