As
Director of
Stereotactic and
Functional Neurosurgery at the
University of Virginia, W.
Jeffrey Elias,
M.D. has led a number of research investigations, resulting in innovative uses of image-guided interventions to treat debilitating neurological conditions. In
2011, his team became the first in the world to successfully treat a person with disabling tremor using focused ultrasound that was guided by magnetic resonance imaging (
MRI). This procedure and subsequent clinical trials have resulted in an outpouring around the globe of investigations using ultrasound interventions to treat disorders of the brain. The past decade has seen advances in ultrasound technology so that acoustic energy can now be safely and precisely delivered thru the intact human skull to reach the deepest regions of the brain.
Stemming in part from the influence of his father, a neurologist, Dr. Elias developed the goal of using less invasive surgical techniques to treat chronic, neurological disorders. For the past 12 years, his practice has specialized in using precise, stereotactic techniques and brain stimulation to treat diseases such as
Parkinson's disease, tremor, and epilepsy. He has been awarded the
UVA School of Medicine's
Excellence in
Clinical Medicine Award for the clinical care of patients. An
Associate Professor in Neurological
Surgery & Neurology, he serves on the editorial board for the
Journal of Neurosurgery, has authored over 50 scientific manuscripts, and has received over 2 million dollars of research funding. This focused ultrasound project is sponsored by The
Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation, a non-profit organization, started in
Charlottesville to promote research, education, and the adoption of the technology
.
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CREDITS:
Animations: www.joanhtobias.com
Film &
Staging: www.theavcompany.net
Editing:
MC2 Creative
- published: 25 Jan 2014
- views: 8888