A 72-year-old man who endured years of debilitating tremors from Parkinson's disease experienced an immediate transformation after undergoing a pioneering treatment at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Texas. The procedure uses focused ultrasound waves to target specific brain regions, and the patient's shaking stopped within minutes.
Bud Leavell received his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2017. The severe tremor in his right hand made everyday activities nearly impossible, eating became a struggle, using a computer mouse proved frustrating, and his beloved hobby of repairing vintage radios had to be abandoned.
The therapy, which requires no surgical incision or opening of the skull, received U.S. approval this past January for treating motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
The treatment works by directing high-intensity ultrasound waves to a precise location deep within the brain, disrupting the neural activity responsible for the symptoms. Following his procedure in April, Leavell's tremor vanished immediately, and follow-up examinations confirmed the improvement had lasted. When recently asked about his condition, he responded simply: "What tremor?"
"I can hold my hand steady without any shaking," Leavell reported, adding that he has returned to repairing radios. His treating physician, Dr. Bhavya Shah, emphasized that while the treatment does not cure Parkinson's disease itself, it can dramatically improve certain symptoms.
According to Shah, side effects occur in approximately 20% to 30% of cases and typically diminish over time. These may include numbness, balance difficulties, and challenges with walking, speaking, or swallowing. "This is not a miracle cure for Parkinson's," he concluded, "but it is a dramatic procedure that can be life-changing."
