23/02/2026
How did MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound become a breakthrough in Tremor Treatment?
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The science behind MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is the result of decades of research, combining advances in physics, functional neurosurgery, and diagnostic imaging.
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The early foundations of focused ultrasound were laid in the 1950s, when researchers first explored the use of high-intensity sound waves to target tissue deep within the body. However, without accurate image guidance, its use in brain conditions was limited.
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It wasn’t until the early 2000s that a major breakthrough occurred: real-time MRI guidance was paired with focused ultrasound. For the first time, clinicians could visualise the brain during treatment and guide ultrasound energy with sub-millimetre precision.
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This led to the development of non-invasive thalamotomy, where focused ultrasound energy is used to create a tiny lesion in the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus—the region responsible for generating tremor in many patients.
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In 2016, MRgFUS was approved by the FDA for treating Essential Tremor, followed by approval for Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’s Disease in 2018.
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Since then, clinical studies have shown an average of 70% improvement in tremor severity for eligible patients, with durable outcomes and fewer risks than traditional surgical options like deep brain stimulation.
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In the UK, Queen Square Imaging Centre is among the first to offer this pioneering treatment. Working alongside some of the country’s leading neurologists and neurosurgeons, our team forms part of a fully integrated movement disorder service.
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Queen Square has also led advancements in imaging guidance, developing novel MRI sequences that improve targeting accuracy—helping to further enhance outcomes for our patients.
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This incisionless, outpatient procedure is now one of the most significant innovations in the treatment of tremor—combining precision, safety, and lasting impact.
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