We treat patients against tremors from Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Dominant Tremor. Essential Tremor is the most common movement disorder, estimated to affect 1% of the world’s population, or nearly 100 million people globally. As for people with Parkinson’s, about 80% of them experience uncontrollable tremors during their lifetime. Although the causes of these tremor disorders are not yet understood in detail, decades of research have now proven that tremors can be alleviated by treating a small area deep in the brain called the Thalamus that regulates movement. This is what the FUS treatment does.

For some people, the tremor is so severe that it interferes with their ability to function on a day-to-day basis. This often results in a large loss of resources for the individual, as the forces are used to concentrate an abnormal amount on ordinary everyday tasks, such as writing, eating, drinking, grooming etc. The need for high concentration drains energy and can have other disease consequences. Ultimately, it can result in general life fatigue. As a result of the tremor disorder, those affected in some cases need help from family or from public or private home help in order to function. Fortunately, treatment with focused ultrasound is a fantastically gentle and effective treatment, which gives the affected people resources and autonomy back, and also saves the society around them resources.

Test of before and after scenario

All patients go through a test course before and after treatment, which includes includes draw/write test. This is an example from a Norwegian patient treated in 2022 for tremors in the right arm.

The AFTER scenario shows the patient’s ability, after treatment, to draw the line within the most difficult spiral and within the narrowest line at the bottom.

The treatment is carried out while the patient is positioned in an MR scanner. Before the patient is taken under the scanner, we shave the head to ensure that hair does not block the sound waves. A cap is attached that allows cool water to circulate, protecting the patient’s scalp from the heat of the ultrasound. In addition, the patient’s head is secured in a frame that prevents the patient from moving the head during the treatment.

The patient will be awake and able to communicate with our medical team during treatment. It is possible to get sedatives if deemed appropriate. The medical team stays alternately in the treatment room and in a room next to the MR scanner, where they plan and carry out the treatment from a computer. An MRI scan of the patient’s brain is performed to precisely locate the treatment area and then initially small doses of ultrasound are given to confirm the target. Once the medical team is sure of the location, the focused ultrasound power is increased to make a permanent effect on the nerve.

The medical team monitors the patient’s vital signs and brain temperature. At times during treatment, a doctor will ask the patient questions and ask the patient to perform tasks such as moving their hand, holding objects, or writing. This helps the medical team assess whether the patient’s tremors are subsiding. While the treatment is generally painless, some people experience mild headaches, dizziness or nausea. These sensations usually disappear shortly after treatment.

When the treatment is finished, the patient is moved to a rest room. The vast majority of patients can go home the same day. The medical team will tell you when to return for any follow-up visits.

If you are referred to our treatment program, you will need to have a CT scan to determine if you are suitable for treatment with focused ultrasound. Some patients’ skull composition prevents the focused ultrasound from reaching the target tissue sufficiently for us to recommend the treatment, so this is carefully investigated in all candidates.

If our evaluation shows that this treatment is not suitable for you, we will notify you and refer you to other forms of treatment.

Resuming an active everyday life

Some patients experience headaches, nausea or problems with balance during or immediately after treatment. These effects usually disappear quickly. Most patients are able to return to work and their normal activities within a few days.

Danish FUS Center (DFC) is a Danish-based specialist center for the treatment of nerve disorders with the pioneering FUS technology – Focused Ultra Sound – or in Danish Focused Ultrasound. Our largest treatment areas are tremor disorders, such as Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Dominant Tremor, where patients suffer from uncontrollable tremors.

Denmark is ranked high as one of the most recognized countries for treating patients. With the Danish FUS Center’s highly specialized medical team, we offer a fast process and quality treatment that is among the best in the world.

Danish FUS Center is located in the center of Denmark, in Middelfart, which is a 2-hour drive from Copenhagen airport, 45 minutes from Billund airport and 2½ hours from Hamburg airport.

We speak fluent English and Danish.