Dr. Kaplitt Treats First Patient in New Clinical Trial for Parkinson’s Disease

On June 12, 2021, Dr. Michael Kaplitt treated the first patient in a new clinical trial, “Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Bilateral Exablate Ablation of the Pallidothalamic Tract (PTT) for the Treatment of the Motor Complications of Parkinson's Disease (PD).” In this procedure, Dr. Kaplitt performed an ablation of the pallidothalamic tract (PTT) using high-intensity focused ultrasound to deliver highly targeted ultrasound beams to the PTT to improve motor control in patients with Parkinson’s disease. See slide show and video below, and see the Weill Cornell Medicine JCTO site or clinicaltrials.gov for more about this trial.

Dr. Michael Kaplitt and RN Jason Randazza prepare the local anesthetic to number the patient's scalp

The dedicated MRI scanner awaits the patient

With the help of anesthesiologist Paul Riegelhaupt and MRI technologist Jojo Borja, the patient is placed in the scanner wearing the special FUS helmet.

Once prepared and positioned, the patient glides into the scanner

Inside the control room, the team manages the precise delivery of the beams

Between pulses of ultrasound energy, Dr. Kaplitt and MRI technician Aldo Cappone check on the patient's progress

Radiologist Sara Strauss, MD, partners with Dr. Kaplitt on FUS procedures

With results achieved, the patient is removed from the scanner

Photos

In preparation for the procedure, which takes just a few hours, the patient's head is shaved and she is fitted with a headframe to ensure precise beam placement. After multiple pulses, with Dr. Kaplitt checking progress after each one, the patient shows immediate improvement.

July 28, 2021