Clinical research
Sunnybrook has the most clinical trials in focused ultrasound of any site in the world. Our scientists and clinicians are pioneering the application of focused ultrasound to diverse areas. Click below to learn more.
Alzheimer’s diseaseWorld's first clinical trial using FUS to open the blood-brain barrier in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisFirst in the world to open the blood-brain barrier using FUS in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Essential tremor First Canadian trial and only Canadian site in the first international, randomized trial for FUS in essential tremor. Major depression First North American trial of FUS cingulotomy in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. Rectal cancer World’s first clinical trial on use of high-intensity FUS for treatment of recurrent rectal cancer. Bone metastases First pediatric patient in North America treated with FUS at Sunnybrook for a bone tumour.
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisFirst in the world to open the blood-brain barrier using FUS in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Essential tremor First Canadian trial and only Canadian site in the first international, randomized trial for FUS in essential tremor. Major depression First North American trial of FUS cingulotomy in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. Rectal cancer World’s first clinical trial on use of high-intensity FUS for treatment of recurrent rectal cancer. Bone metastases First pediatric patient in North America treated with FUS at Sunnybrook for a bone tumour.
Brain tumoursFirst in the world to breach the blood-brain barrier with FUS to deliver chemotherapy into the brain.
Parkinson’s disease First Canadian trial and part of the first international trial testing use of FUS to treat the neurological disorder.Obsessive-compulsive disorderFirst North American trial of FUS capsulotomy in patients with treatment-resistant OCD. Head and neck cancer World’s first clinical trial to test use of MRI-guided FUS in treating this cancer. Uterine fibroids World’s first dual-site FUS surgery centre to test clinical ablation of uterine fibroids with high-intensity FUS.
Parkinson’s disease First Canadian trial and part of the first international trial testing use of FUS to treat the neurological disorder.Obsessive-compulsive disorderFirst North American trial of FUS capsulotomy in patients with treatment-resistant OCD. Head and neck cancer World’s first clinical trial to test use of MRI-guided FUS in treating this cancer. Uterine fibroids World’s first dual-site FUS surgery centre to test clinical ablation of uterine fibroids with high-intensity FUS.
