Currently, depression is treated with pharmacological antidepressant drugs, transcranial magnetic stimulation, light therapy , direct current, magnetic and electroconvulsive therapy, and surgical interventions. Surgery methods include laser and radiofrequency abelation , deep brain stimulation, linear accelerator, and stereotaxic surgery. All of these methods have limitations and side effects.
Focused ultrasound is a non-invasive therapeutic technology that, at a low cost, can improve the quality of life of patients. With it, the beam is focused on a point located deep in the brain. This does not damage the surrounding tissue. Ultrasound contributes to the realization of many therapeutic effects in which mental disorders are treated without radiation and incisions. Ultrasound therapy is an alternative to invasive surgery and drug enhancement.
Benefits of Focused Ultrasound Therapy:
· Minimal damage to healthy tissues;
· Non-invasiveness ;
· Addition to drug therapy that improves drug delivery to the brain;
· Temporary increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
A focused ultrasound beam can be used with magnetic resonance imaging navigation . A new technology can be proposed that allows the delivery of ultrasonic vibrations to the target area in real time. This will make it possible to use the technology for thrombolysis in stroke.
A focused ultrasound beam can be used not only to treat depression, but also to resolve blood clots in stroke.
In the clinic of Doctor of Medical Sciences V.L. Treatment of depression with modern methods of transcranial magnetic stimulation is carried out for a minute .