My PD Story

Using Ultrasound Stimulation as a New Way to Address Freezing of Gait 

Freezing of gait is a common Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptom characterized by a temporary, involuntary inability to move. This symptom can be frustrating at best and dangerous at worst, as it increases the risk of falls. Unfortunately, standard dopaminergic medications and even deep brain stimulation (DBS) have shown little to no benefit in treating freezing of gait, highlighting the need for alternative therapies. 

Amitabh Bhattacharya, PhD, recipient of the Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, believes that non-invasive ultrasound stimulation (TUS) could offer a promising solution for reducing freezing of gait symptoms without the need for expensive and invasive surgery. 

Working in the lab of Dr. Robert Chen, a 2023 Parkinson’s Foundation Impact Awardee, at the University Health Network (UHN) in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Bhattacharya will be leading a study to test the effectiveness of TUS in treating movement symptoms in people with PD who experience freezing of gait.  

Participants, recruited with help from the Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Clinic, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, will first undergo a high-resolution brain scan to create a detailed map of their brain, focusing on the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), a key region that helps control movement. This initial scan will be used to model and plan the TUS treatment, ensuring that the sound waves are precisely targeted to hit the intended area of the brain. 

Over three visits in the following months, study participants will receive personalized TUS treatments to monitor if freezing of gait symptoms improve, measured with walking tests and clinical symptom severity scales. Follow-up MRIs will also allow Dr. Bhattacharya to observe how the treatment has influenced brain function over time, providing insights into the most effective stimulation protocols.  

The findings from this research will inform and shape future experiments and clinical trials, with the ultimate aim of developing ultrasound treatments for PD gait symptoms that are not only safe and effective but also widely accessible to those in need. Given the lack of effective treatments for freezing of gait, this research could pave the way for a much-needed breakthrough to manage this challenging symptom.  

When asked what the Parkinson’s Foundation grant means to him, Dr. Bhattacharya said, “This award is a major morale booster and a catalyst for innovation, allowing me to focus on developing treatments that can profoundly impact patient care. TUS treatment could revolutionize the management of freezing of gait, enhancing treatment outcomes for patients.” 

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