Focused Ultrasound Erases 72-Year-Old's Parkinson's Tremor Minutes After FDA Approval
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 18
Focused Ultrasound Erases 72-Year-Old's Parkinson's Tremor Minutes After FDA Approval
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 18
Summary
Bud Leavell, 72, said his severe hand tremor disappeared within minutes of a focused ultrasound procedure at UT Southwestern and remained well controlled at follow-up.
The treatment, approved by the FDA in January 2026 for Parkinson’s primary motor symptoms, uses high-energy ultrasound through the skull to destroy precise brain targets without surgery.
Doctors first test low-energy ultrasound to confirm the right target; in Leavell’s case, the early response was strong enough to guide the team toward tremor relief.
Dr. Bhavya Shah said side effects such as numbness, balance problems or trouble walking occur in about 20% to 30% of cases and usually improve over time.
Unlike adjustable deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound cannot be reprogrammed if symptoms return, and Shah said long-term data are still limited despite promising short-term results.