Improving MRI-guided Ultrasound Surgeries for Brain Conditions
Official title: Iron Based Coupling Media (IBCM) for MRI-guided Transcranial Ultrasound Surgeries
Funded at Brigham Young University · NIH-11136977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to make focused ultrasound treatments for brain conditions more precise by developing a new type of gel that helps guide the procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $455,563 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB032773-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with neurological conditions such as essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, who might be candidates for focused ultrasound treatments, could potentially benefit from this advancement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are not treated by focused ultrasound or who are not candidates for such procedures would not directly benefit from this specific improvement.
What this research studies
We are working to enhance a special type of brain surgery called transcranial magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (tMRgFUS), which uses sound waves to treat various neurological problems. Currently, the gel used during these procedures can sometimes interfere with the MRI images that guide the treatment, making it less accurate. Our goal is to create a new iron-based gel that will allow doctors to see clearer MRI images, leading to more effective and safer treatments for patients. This improved guidance is especially important for conditions where immediate patient feedback isn't possible during the procedure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate and effective focused ultrasound treatments for a range of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and movement disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Focused ultrasound treatments for conditions like essential tremor and Parkinson's disease are already FDA-approved, but this particular approach to improving the acoustic coupling medium is a novel development.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham Young University
Provo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Steven P — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Allen, Steven P
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.