Summary: Diadem, a new device from the University of Utah, uses focused ultrasound to noninvasively target deep brain regions, offering promising results in reducing chronic pain after just one treatment session.

Key Takeaways

  • Diadem uses focused ultrasound to noninvasively target deep brain regions, offering a new approach to disrupt faulty pain signals.
  • In a recent study, 60% of participants experienced significant pain relief after just one session with Diadem, highlighting its potential effectiveness.
  • The device’s precise targeting, guided by functional MRI, sets it apart from other neuromodulation techniques, with researchers preparing for a Phase 3 clinical trial as the final step toward FDA approval.

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Chronic pain often stems from faulty signals in deep brain regions, making it challenging to treat effectively. Diadem, a groundbreaking device developed at the University of Utah, offers new hope by using focused ultrasound to noninvasively target these deep areas, potentially disrupting pain signals at their source.

Targeting Deep Brain Regions

In a recent study published in Pain, researchers found promising results with Diadem. Participants experienced significant pain reduction after just one treatment session. The study, led by Jan Kubanek, PhD, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and Thomas Riis, a postdoctoral researcher in Kubanek’s lab, involved 20 patients who underwent two 40-minute sessions. Remarkably, 60% of those who received real ultrasound treatment reported meaningful symptom relief both immediately and a week later.

Diadem’s innovative method relies on neuromodulation, specifically targeting the anterior cingulate cortex, a critical brain region associated with pain perception. Unlike other techniques that use electricity or magnets, ultrasound can precisely and selectively reach this area without invasive procedures.

Before treatment, researchers performed an initial functional MRI scan to map the target region. This allowed them to adjust Diadem’s ultrasound emitters to correct for how the waves deflect off the skull and other brain structures, ensuring accuracy.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial Preparation

The research team is now preparing for a Phase 3 clinical trial, the final step before FDA approval. “We’re hopeful that with more participants, we can make this treatment widely available,” says Kubanek. “Our ultimate goal is to offer a new, effective option for those suffering from chronic pain and reduce reliance on opioid medications.”