Subthalamotomy by ExAblate Transcranial System to Treat Motor Features of Parkinson's Disease

Based on published animal and human studies, ExAblate Transcranial subthalamotomy can be as safe and as effective as any of the surgical treatments within the currently accepted standard of care including radiofrequency lesioning and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). A unilateral lesion of the subthalamic nucleus has shown reduction of contralateral motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Using ExAblate Transcranial Magnetic Resonance guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgHIFU) to create the subthalamotomy has several potential advantages over current therapies including the fact that transcranial lesioning can be performed in a precise manner with simultaneous as well as continuous clinical and radiographic monitoring. If the potential of ExAblate Transcranial subthalamotomy can be realized, it could supplant radiofrequency and radiosurgery techniques and provide a viable alternative procedure for subjects considering DBS.