Researchers in China test ultrasound therapy for brain injury recovery

Researchers in China are conducting early clinical trials of a new technology that uses focused ultrasound waves to stimulate deep brain structures. The goal is to restore brain functions in patients with severe neurological damage, such as chronic consciousness disorders.

Developed by experts from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the method uses MRI to identify target areas, specifically the thalamus, to restore neural networks. Unlike existing methods, this technique is non-invasive and does not require surgical intervention or the implantation of electrodes.

A preliminary study conducted with Kunming Medical University reported that 13 out of 24 patients with chronic consciousness disorders showed behavioral improvements. In one notable case, a patient who had been in a coma for three months following a brain hemorrhage regained the ability to speak, eat independently, and walk with assistance after 30 days of ultrasound therapy and rehabilitation.