"A study published today in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine offers the most indepth assessment yet of the safety and effectiveness of a hightech alternative to brain surgery to treat the uncontrollable shaking caused by the most common movement disorder. And the news is very good. The paper outlines the results of an international clinical trial led by Jeff Elias MD httpsuvahealth.comfindadoctorprofilejeffelias of the University of Virginia Health System httpsuvahealth.com that evaluated the scalpelfree approach called focused ultrasound for the treatment of essential tremor httpsneurosciences.uvahealth.comservicesparkinsonsmovementdisordersconditionsandtreatmentsessentialtremor ET a condition that afflicts an estimated  million Americans. Not only did the researchers determine that the procedure was safe and effective they found that it offered a lasting benefit reducing shaking for trial participants throughout the month study period. This study represents a major advance for neurosurgery treatment of brain disease and specifically the treatment of ET Elias said. For the first time in a randomized controlled trial we have shown that ultrasound can be precisely delivered through the intact human skull to treat a difficult neurological disease. Pioneering Tremor TrialThe multisite clinical trial included  participants with moderate to severe essential tremor a condition that often robs people of their ability to write feed themselves and carry out their normal daily activities. The trial participants all had tried existing medications without success. The mean age was  and most had suffered with their tremor for many years. Seventyfive percent of participants received the experimental treatment using focused ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The remaining  percent underwent a sham procedure to act as the control group. They would later be given the opportunity to undergo the real procedure. Participants who received the treatment showed dramatic improvement with the beneficial effects continuing throughout the study period. The researchers employed a point scale to assess tremor severity and they found that mean tremor scores improved by  percent at three months and  percent at  months. Participants reported major improvements in their quality of life. People who couldnt feed themselves soup or cereal could again do so. Participants who received the sham procedure on the other hand showed no significant improvements. The degree of tremor control was very good overall in the study but the most important aspects were the significant gains in disabilities and quality of life  thats what patients really care about Elias said. The most commonly reported side effects were gait disturbances and numbness in the hand or face in most instances these side effects were temporary but some were permanent.  FDA Approved Based on the clinical trial led by Elias the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the focused ultrasound device manufactured by InSightec Inc. for the treatment of essential tremor. The device focuses sound waves inside the brain to create heat much like a magnifying glass focuses light. That heat can then be used to interrupt the troublesome brain connections responsible for the tremor. Elias can actually watch as patients tremor decreases and the realtime imaging allows him to zone in on exactly the right spot before making any permanent changes to the brain. The FDA approval means UVA can make the procedure available to eligible patients. UVA however is still working out the necessary logistics its not yet clear when Elias will begin treating patients. Because the approach is so new insurance plans will not yet cover the procedure though that may change in the coming months. The cost at UVA has not yet been determined. People interested in the procedure can learn more at uvahealth.comfocusedultrasound httpsneurosciences.uvahealth.comservicesfocusedultrasound. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions and will be updated as UVA prepares to make the treatment available.  The procedure is not for everyone with essential tremor. It cant be used in patients who cannot undergo MRI imaging including those with implanted metallic devices such as a pacemaker. It is also not available for pregnant women people with heart conditions or very high blood pressure patients with kidney disease or clotting disorders patients on blood thinners patients with a history of strokes or brain tumors and people with substance abuse issues. There are other exclusions as well. Doctors at UVA will evaluate potential patients to determine their eligibility and then recommend the best course of treatment. Groundbreaking ResearchUVA is a world leader in focused ultrasound research. Elias and his colleagues are testing the capability of focused ultrasound to treat Parkinsons disease epilepsy brain tumors and benign breast tumors.  The essential tremor research has been supported by InSightec the Focused Ultrasound Foundation and the BIRD USIsrael Binational Industry Research and Development Foundation. FOR REPORTERS Elias will be available for interviews today and hell be doing a Facebook Live broadcast at  Eastern. To arrange an interview contact Alex Prevost at .. or ampgbvirginia.edu mailtoampgbvirginia.edusubjectNewswiseArticleReporterFollowupbccreportersnewswise.com. Highresolution images and video are available as well."