Improving ultrasound therapy for treating essential tremor by modeling skull acoustics

Acoustic Modeling of skull bone for improved transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound therapy

NIH-funded research University of Utah · NIH-11015757

This study is looking to make ultrasound therapy better for people with essential tremor by creating personalized models of how sound travels through their skulls, which could help doctors target the treatment more accurately and improve results.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11015757 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of non-invasive ultrasound therapy for neurological disorders, particularly essential tremor. By developing patient-specific models of the skull's acoustic properties, the study aims to improve the targeting of ultrasound beams, which is crucial for successful treatment outcomes. The researchers will use advanced simulations and compare them with clinical data to ensure accuracy in treatment delivery. This approach could lead to more precise and effective therapies for patients suffering from essential tremor.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with essential tremor who are considering non-invasive treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to essential tremor or those who are not candidates for ultrasound therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer ultrasound treatments for patients with essential tremor.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using ultrasound therapy for neurological conditions, indicating that this approach could build on existing successes.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.