Gold Coast University Hospital to offer MRI-guided ultrasound treatments

The non-invasive procedure will be used on neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease.

Australia’s Gold Coast University Hospital is set to offer non-invasive brain surgery for patients with disabling neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease.

With government funding of approximately $2.4m (A$3.5m), the hospital will adopt a magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) procedure to locate and treat areas of the brain that trigger symptoms of movement disorders.

The procedure aims to disrupt abnormal activity and reduce tremors by utilising over 1,000 ultrasound beams that intersect at a single point to create micro lesions in the brain.

“It’s incredible to see the immediate and significant reductions in tremors thanks to this new procedure and our highly skilled health heroes,” Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman, said.

“This surgery is helping Queenslanders to regain the ability and dignity to perform daily tasks like writing and picking up a glass of water,” Fentiman added.

A$1 = $0.67