Low Intensity Ultrasound Stimulation for Essential Tremor
Nudge, a neurotechnology company based in San Francisco, is studying how low intensity ultrasound affects brain activity and tremor symptoms in people with essential tremor.
Learn more in our latest Essential Tremor Virtual Education Event, “Low Intensity Ultrasound Stimulation for Essential Tremor.”
David Segar, MD, medical director of Nudge, gives an overview of Nudge’s research in this area.
“We are building a noninvasive technology to safely and precisely change brain activity using low intensity focused ultrasound. Our goal is to use that technology to treat brain diseases and to improve brain health,” Dr. Segar said.
Unlike high intensity FUS, low intensity likely does not cause permanent changes to brain tissue, according to Dr. Segar. And it can be directed at different brain regions safely and repetitively.
Nudge has an ongoing essential tremor feasibility study exploring the safety and feasibility of delivery low intensity ultrasound stimulation. It’s taking place in three areas of California: Berkeley, Mission Bay and San Francisco. More information can be found at nudge.com/studies.
Tremors, Quakes and Shakes of the Voice
Our virtual education event, “Tremors, Quakes and Shakes of the Voice: Understanding and Treating Vocal Tremor and Spasmodic Dysphonia” is one of our best for explaining vocal tremor.
Dr. Michael Johns, director of the voice center at the University of Southern California, gives a detailed explanation of how the voice works, even sharing a video of the muscles of the vocal chords. Diagnosis and treatment options are covered, including botox injections.
Changes to the voice that do not resolve themselves within about four weeks, should be checked by a physician, according to Dr. Johns.
Dr. Johns serves on the IETF Medical Advisory Board.
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Research Study Recruitment
PILOT Study of Essential Tremor
Dr. Elan Louis and his team of tremor researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) are conducting a new PILOT study of essential tremor (ET). They need help from the ET community. If you are at least 80 years old and have been diagnosed with essential tremor in the last 2 to 5 years, then please contact the UTSW researchers at the following email address: tremor@utsouthwestern.edu. Please include your contact information in your message, including your name, telephone and the time zone or state.
They are conducting a feasibility study during which they plan to contact you once and ask over the phone 10 questions, including age, gender, medication history, treatment received for ET, and location of tremor symptoms. After completing the screening, they will ask you if you would be interested in a future study.
Study of Familial Characteristics of ET with Identical Twins
Dr. Elan Louis and his team of tremor researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) are conducting a new study of familial characteristics of essential tremor (ET).
They need help from the ET community. If you have ET and have an identical (monozygotic) twin sister/brother with ET, please contact the UTSW researchers at the following email address: tremor@utsouthwestern.edu
Please include your contact information in your message (including your name, telephone, and mailing address) and the preferred way to contact you.
Both you and your identical twin sister/brother would be interested in answering questions about your tremor and provide us with a videotape performing daily tasks like using a spoon or drinking from a glass (instructions will be provided).
You and your sibling may live anywhere in the United States and still qualify to participate; all interviews will be conducted via phone and mail.
i am very interested it seeems to me is the solution