by In a groundbreaking study conducted by Wynn Legon and his team at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, researchers have shown that low-intensity focused ultrasound can potentially alleviate pain by targeting a specific area deep inside the brain called the insula. This discovery opens up possibilities for non-invasive pain management techniques that do not rely on opioids or other addictive pain killers.
The study, published in the journal Pain, focused on testing the feasibility of delivering focused ultrasound energy to the insula and evaluating its effects. Focused ultrasound technology, similar to that used for viewing a fetus in the womb, sends narrow sound waves to a precise point. At high intensity, ultrasound can ablate tissue, while at low intensity, it can produce more gentle and transient effects, such as altering nerve cell electrical activity.
Neuroscientists have long been exploring non-surgical techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of depression and other conditions. However, Legon’s study is the first to demonstrate the potential of focused ultrasound in targeting the insula and relieving pain.
The study involved 23 healthy participants who underwent induced pain through the application of heat to the backs of their hands. Simultaneously, focused ultrasound waves were delivered to the insula guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants rated their pain perception on a scale of 0 to 9 for each application, while researchers monitored their heart rate and heart rate variability as indicators of the body’s response to pain and ultrasound treatment.
Results from the study showed an average reduction in pain perception of three-fourths of a point. While this may seem like a modest decrease, Legon emphasizes that it could have clinically meaningful implications. Even a one-point reduction in pain perception can significantly improve one’s quality of life and potentially allow for the management of chronic pain using over-the-counter medications rather than prescription opioids.
Additionally, the study observed a reduction in physical responses to pain-induced stress, as evidenced by decreased heart rate and heart rate variability. Legon explains that irregularity in heartbeats is normal and beneficial, and increasing the body’s ability to cope with and respond to pain could have a positive impact on overall health.
The findings of this study pave the way for further research in Legon’s lab, particularly in understanding the connection between the heart and brain, and exploring whether mitigating the cardiovascular stress effects of pain can further enhance pain management techniques.
By demonstrating the possibility of non-invasively targeting and manipulating the insula using focused ultrasound, this study offers hope for the development of safer and more effective pain relief methods. Moving forward, researchers will continue to investigate the potential of this breakthrough technology in reducing the burden of pain and improving the lives of patients suffering from chronic pain.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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