Ep3: Nir Lipsman, MD, PhD | Pioneering Focused Ultrasound Applications for the Brain

In this episode of Curing with Sound, Dr. Neal Kassell, founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, is joined by Dr. Nir Lipsman, a neurosurgeon and senior scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Kassell considers Dr. Lipsman to be one of the most influential clinicians in the development and adoption of focused ultrasound, having pioneered several world-first clinical trials for various brain disorders.

 Throughout the conversation, Dr. Lipsman discusses the evolution of his focused ultrasound program at Sunnybrook, which has grown exponentially over the past decade. His team has treated over 500 patients across a wide range of indications, including essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depression, and various types of brain tumors.

One of the most exciting aspects of Dr. Lipsman's work is the use of focused ultrasound for opening the blood-brain barrier to enhance drug delivery. He shares the groundbreaking results of a trial in which they were able to visually confirm the passage of a large molecule, trastuzumab, directly into the brain to target metastatic breast cancer tumors. This achievement holds immense promise for the treatment of numerous brain disorders, particularly in the neurodegenerative space, where focused ultrasound could potentially change the natural history of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

 Dr. Lipsman emphasizes the importance of collaboration and parallel progress in advancing the field of focused ultrasound. He highlights the critical role of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation in supporting and fostering the growth of his program and the global focused ultrasound community.

 Looking to the future, Dr. Lipsman envisions focused ultrasound becoming a routine, well-tolerated outpatient procedure that can not only treat but also prevent and diagnose brain disorders. He remains committed to building a strong, multidisciplinary team at Sunnybrook and working with the global community to bring the transformative potential of focused ultrasound to patients worldwide. Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation 


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