- Focused Ultrasound Eases Pain: A recent study reveals that low-intensity focused ultrasound targeting deep brain regions can effectively alleviate pain perception and associated physiological effects.
- Non-Invasive Approach: Unlike traditional pain medications, focused ultrasound offers a non-invasive method for managing pain, potentially reducing reliance on opioids.
- Potential Impact: The findings underscore the potential of focused ultrasound in revolutionizing pain management, offering hope for individuals with chronic pain conditions.
A recent study suggests that low-intensity focused ultrasound targeting the insula, a deep brain region, can effectively alleviate pain perception and associated physiological effects, offering a non-invasive approach to pain management. Published in the journal PAIN, the research demonstrates the potential of focused ultrasound in modulating pain perception and reducing reliance on traditional pain medications.
Focused ultrasound, a non-invasive technology, delivers narrow bands of sound waves to specific points in the brain, including deep regions like the insula. Unlike high-intensity ultrasound used for tissue ablation, low-intensity ultrasound induces transient biological effects, such as altering nerve cell electrical activity. In the study led by Dr. William Legon, the first of its kind to target the insula, 23 healthy participants experienced reduced pain perception when subjected to focused ultrasound while undergoing a pain-inducing stimulus on the backs of their hands.
The findings suggest that focused ultrasound not only attenuates pain perception but also impacts physiological reactions to pain-induced stress, including heart rate and heart rate variability. This innovative approach holds promise for managing chronic pain and reducing the need for prescription opioids, potentially improving overall quality of life for individuals
