Technological innovation is a major advance in the field of neurology. seminar On the opportunities, challenges and uncertainties that this brings about, Dr . José Obeso, expert neurologist and director of the Integral Neurosciences Center of HM Hospitals (HM CINAC), gave a scientific talk at Cima of the University of Navarra, about the opportunities, challenges and uncertainties that this brings about.

During the scientific session, entitled "Ultrasound Universe and Neurosciences," the specialist highlighted the role of ultrasound as a revolutionary treatment that allows some patients with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor to regain control of their movements and recover their quality of life. This is the case with HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound), the most advanced high-intensity ultrasound treatment available to treat these patients with tremor. Clínica Universidad de Navarra to treat these patients with disabling tremor. This technology "has enabled us to treat essential tremor in a 97-year-old patient," said Dr. María Cruz Martínez Oroz, director of the Neurosciences Program at Cima and of the Clinic's Neurologydepartment .

Nearly one hundred physicians and researchers attended the meeting, where clinical cases and projects from research were shared to understand and stop Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

The future is in the research

Among the challenges for the future, according to Dr. Obeso, "is to resolve the question of whether we will be able to use this ultrasound technology in other neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we must research to find the 'perfect target' to which to direct ultrasound according to the specific pathology of the patient, always trying to reduce the possible side effects". Along these lines, Dr. Martínez Oroz has pointed out that the answer to these questions involves going deeper into the knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases. "In the treatment of Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, for example, we have made great progress, but we must continue our research until we manage to cure the disease".

This is the challenge of the scientists of the Neurosciences Program of Cima and of the specialists of the department of Neurology of the Clinic, whose research seeks to achieve three main objectives: to identify the mechanisms that cause the malfunction and death of neurons; to develop new therapies that correct these mechanisms; and to discover indicators that allow the diagnosis, prognosis and evolution of neurological diseases. In particular, they focus on research into Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and epilepsy.