At the NeuroNext Forum, leading neurologists highlighted that MRgFUS, an FDA‑approved non‑invasive ultrasound therapy, remains scarce in India despite its success abroad. They called on policymakers to fast‑track its integration into the Indian healthcare system.

Key Takeaways

  • MRgFUS is a non‑invasive, FDA‑approved treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.
  • While widely adopted in the United States and Europe, the technology is barely available in India.
  • Experts are urging governments and insurers to fund and embed MRgFUS within public and private health programs.

The NeuroNext Forum, organized by the Vattikutti Foundation, gathered top neurologists, neurosurgeons, patients, and caregivers to discuss emerging therapies for movement disorders. Speaking at the event, Dr. Aniruddha Bhagwat, a neurosurgeon at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, emphasized that Magnetic Resonance‑guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an FDA‑cleared, incision‑free treatment already in routine use across the United States and Europe, yet remains largely inaccessible to Indian patients.

Why MRgFUS Matters for Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor often become refractory to medication, or patients suffer debilitating side‑effects. MRgFUS delivers precisely focused ultrasound energy to targeted brain regions under MRI guidance, creating therapeutic lesions without any scalp incision, stitches, or skull drilling. The procedure typically lasts 90 minutes to two hours, allowing patients to return home the same day and reducing hospital stay costs.

Barriers to Adoption in India

Dr. Bhagwat pointed out that the scarcity of high‑field MRI scanners equipped for focused ultrasound, limited trained multidisciplinary teams, and the absence of insurance coverage are the primary obstacles. Consequently, many Indian patients still rely on oral levodopa therapy or invasive deep‑brain stimulation, both of which carry significant risk profiles and financial burdens.

Path Forward and Recommendations

Abhinav Vattikutti, founder of the Vattikutti Foundation, stated, “The NeuroNext Forum aims to bridge the gap between cutting‑edge medical expertise and the patients who need it most, empowering them to make informed treatment choices.” He urged health ministries to recognize MRgFUS as a reimbursable procedure, to foster public‑private partnerships that expand the required infrastructure, and to train more neuro‑radiologists and neurosurgeons in this technology.

If these measures are adopted, MRgFUS could transform daily living for thousands of Indian Parkinson’s patients, aligning India’s neuro‑care capabilities with global best practices and reducing the overall disease burden.