LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Norton Neuroscience Institute has received groundbreaking ultrasound technology to treat essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease. 

The life-changing treatment has been shown to improve tremor symptoms for patients starting on the day of treatment, Norton Healthcare said. It purchased the technology with $2.8 million in funding through the Norton Healthcare Foundation and is Kentucky's first and only facility to offer the treatment. It is expected to be operational at Norton Neuroscience Institute this fall.

"This procedure is a game-changer for our ability to treat patients with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease," said Abigail J. Rao, Norton Neuroscience stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon. "Acquiring this technology advances our mission of giving patients the best possible outcomes, while further establishing Norton Neuroscience Institute as the regional leader in advanced neurological care."

The treatment is an incisionless surgery and does not require any anesthesia or hospital stay. Norton Healthcare said several ultrasound beams are focused down to millimeter accuracy, creating a small lesion in the brain. The patient lies in an MRI scanner allowing frequent scans to monitor the location, size and temperature of the lesion being created while wearing a helmet-like device filled with cool water that has more than 1,000 ultrasound transmitters.

The lesion provides relief of hand tremor and other symptoms of movement disorders, allowing for better motor control for daily tasks and better quality of life.

"This is truly groundbreaking technology that will allow us to help so many people in new ways," said Lynnie Meyer, Norton Healthcare senior vice president and chief development officer. "As focused ultrasound progresses, we hope to see its benefits in treating other conditions."

In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment. It is backed by years of data that show most patients experience immediate and significant relief from tremor symptoms. Side effects such as imbalance and numbness normally subside within a few weeks, said Norton Healthcare.

Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis not adequately controlled by medication to qualify for the treatment. The patient's anatomy is studied and the surgery is planned, with CT and MRI scans taken prior to the procedure. The patient then receives a follow-up MRI after the procedure to evaluate the lesion.

Patients can schedule treatment by calling 502-671-9489, emailing FocusedUltrasound@nortonhealthcare.org or visiting Norton Healthcare's website.