World's first essential tremor patient treated with MR-guided focused ultrasound

The last ten years have been challenging for Billy R. Williams of Fort Valley, Virginia. The former Pentagon employee, who survived the 9/11 terrorist attack, has suffered from essential tremor, a progressive and debilitating neurological disorder.
Medications controlled his tremor for a while, but eventually the shaking became so severe that Williams found it impossible to do anything with his dominant right hand. He was unable to button his shirt, eat without spilling or fill in a crossword puzzle. An avid golfer, he even needed help teeing up his ball. Referred to the University of Virginia for evaluation, he learned about various treatment options and ultimately agreed to participate in a new clinical trial. Funded by the FUS Foundation, the study is assessing the safety and initial efficacy of noninvasive MR-guided focused ultrasound as a treatment for essential tremor.
On February 25, 2011, Williams became the first essential tremor patient in the world to receive MR-guided focused ultrasound therapy, and the results were dramatically positive.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Billy Williams
• essential tremor
• neurological disorder
• UVA
• University of Virginia
• focused ultrasound
• treatment
• clinical trial
• noninvasive
• first patient
• world's first
• therapy

[FUSFoundation]

@jsmoritz2000 This could potentially be something that benefits you. The only clinical trial in the U.S. right now is at the University of Virginia. Because of the demand, the trial is full. However, you could call them about being placed on the waiting list. The contact person is Joanna Loomba, 434-924-5859.

[jsmoritz2000]

I have had essential tremor for over ten years and my body doesn't respond well to medications. I am also an artist since birth and the disorder not only effects my ability to use my hands but it forced me to change careers last year at the age of 37. Would this surgery be ideal for someone like me? I am very interested in your clinical trials.