Not all medical interventions for Parkinson’s disease (PD) involve drugs. Two other main treatments are deep brain stimulation (DBS) and focused ultrasound (FUS). DBS uses a surgically implanted electrical pulse generator connected to electrodes placed in the brain to stimulate areas involved in PD. FUS does not require surgery but aims ultrasound –  high frequency sound waves – at a specific area of the brain to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms.

 

Each technology has its uses, advantages, and disadvantages. In this podcast episode, Kyle Mitchell, MD of Duke University in North Carolina discusses the two treatments, how each works, which patients may do best with either of them, and some caveats. He also looks ahead at what is in development.