In News:

India has recently introduced Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology, marking a significant advancement in non-invasive neurological treatment. This technique is now being offered in select hospitals, providing new hope for patients suffering from Essential Tremor (ET) and Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’s Disease (TD-PD) — two common but debilitating neurological disorders.

What is MRgFUS?

MRgFUS is a non-surgical, incisionless medical intervention that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy, guided by real-time MRI, to target and ablate precise regions of brain tissue responsible for tremors, especially in the thalamus, a key brain relay centre.

Unlike traditional procedures like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) that require surgery and implants, MRgFUS is performed without any cuts or anaesthesia and allows immediate symptom relief with minimal recovery time.

Key Features of MRgFUS

• Incisionless procedure: No need for surgical opening of the skull
• MRI-guided precision: Real-time monitoring and adjustment
• Rapid recovery: Hospital stay of 1–2 days
• No implants or batteries: One-time treatment
• Immediate results: Visible tremor relief during the procedure itself

Medical Significance

Essential Tremor (ET):

• Affects ~1% of global population
• Incidence increases with age: ~5% of people over 60
• Not life-threatening but impairs daily life — eating, writing, speaking
• Leads to social isolation, anxiety, and functional disability

MRgFUS offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution for patients who are unwilling or unfit for brain surgery.

Availability in India

MRgFUS has been introduced in several advanced medical centres:

• Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi – First private hospital in North India to offer the procedure
• AIIMS, Delhi – First government institution to adopt it
• Royal Care Super Speciality Hospital, Coimbatore – Pioneer centre in India
• KIMS Hospitals, Telangana

As of mid-2025, over 200 patients in India have undergone the procedure successfully, with more than 25,000 globally.

Cost and Duration

• Procedure Cost: ?19–23 lakh
• Duration: 1–3 hours
• Performed by: A multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroradiologists

Global Context and Technological Backing

• Insightec, a global leader in MRgFUS technology, is facilitating its expansion in India.
• The company is also exploring new clinical applications for the same technology in other neurological disorders beyond ET and Parkinson’s.