New Delhi: In a major step for Parkinson’s care in India, AIIMS is going to introduce Focused Ultrasound Therapy (FUT), a non-invasive treatment that could offer a new option for select patients.The technology, expected to be operational by Aug, uses sound waves guided by MRI to target specific areas of the brain without opening the skull. Unlike conventional surgery, it does not require cuts, implants or long recovery time.Initially, the treatment will be offered for free at AIIMS. Doctors said focused ultrasound was the method of choice in patients with tremor-dominant symptoms. In the private sector, the procedure can cost several lakhs for both sides. “Once functional, AIIMS could become the first govt facility in India to offer the therapy, which is currently available only in a few private centres,” said Prof P Sarat Chandra, head of neurosurgery at AIIMS.However, doctors cautioned that FUT was not a primary treatment for Parkinson’s and was mainly used for essential tremor, a related condition. Its use in Parkinson’s is limited to select cases, especially when medicines do not work well or surgery is not suitable.The development comes as doctors marked World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, highlighting growing concern over the debilitating condition in India. It is increasingly being seen at younger ages in India. Data from an Indian study of over 2,000 patients, cited by International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, shows that nearly 45% of them developed Parkinson’s between 22 and 49 years, with the average onset at around 51 — almost a decade earlier than in many countries.Globally, too, the burden is rising. A study published in British Medical Journal estimates that Parkinson’s cases could reach 25.2 million by 2050, more than double the current numbers. South Asia, including India, may account for nearly 6.8 million cases.Doctors at AIIMS said many patients were now developing symptoms before 50, and sometimes even before 40, challenging the belief that Parkinson’s is only an old-age disease.Parkinson’s mainly affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness and slow movement, but it often starts quietly years earlier, said experts. Early signs can include sleep problems, anxiety and other symptoms that are often ignored. One key warning sign is a sleep disorder where people act out their dreams, which can appear years before diagnosis.Experts estimate that over 7.5 lakh people in India may be living with Parkinson’s, though the real number could be higher due to underdiagnosis. The disease affects not just patients but also their families and caregivers.There is no cure yet, but early diagnosis can help manage symptoms better. Doctors advised regular exercise such as walking, cycling and staying active to slow the disease.Among treatments, Deep Brain Stimulation is already in use, while newer options like focused ultrasound may help some patients in the future.The message from experts is clear: Parkinson’s is no longer just a disease of ageing — early signs should not be ignored.
