Foothills Campus

Health Care Provider Resources

Essential Tremor

  1. Inclusion

    • Over 18 years
    • Resident of Alberta, valid PHN (residents of other Canadian provinces will be considered for MRgFUS on a case-by-case basis)
    • Willing to attend all study visits
    • Diagnosis of ET (PD resting tremor and dystonia tremor may be considered)
    • Tremor refractory to adequate trials of at least 2-3 medications or side effects on medications
    • Able to communicate sensations during the treatment.
    • Postural or intention tremor severity score of 2 or higher on the CRST rating scale while stable on medication.
    • Significant disability that affects daily activities despite medications

  2. Exclusion

    • Uncontrolled medical conditions i.e., unstable cardiac history, drug/alcohol dependence
    • Unable to perform MRI
    • History of intracranial hemorrhage or epilepsy
    • Unable to lay flat for 4-6 hours on treatment table
    • Cognitive impairment
    • Intraoperative/postoperative bleeding risk
    • Unable to communicate with doctors or MRgFUS staff during procedure

Please send referral to the Dr Zelma Kiss (Neurosurgery). Fax number is 403-283-2270. 

Self referrals will not be accepted.

NOTE: MRgFUS can only be done on one side of the brain. As a result, only 1 side of the hand/arm can be treated. 

MRgFUS does not help with voice or head tremor. 

Other medications or surgical options will need to be considered for the other hand/arm at a later date. 

For assistance in managing your patient in the community, please click here for suspected Essential Tremor.

 

Focused Ultrasound: https://www.fusfoundation.org/

Movement Disorders: cmdg.org

Essential Tremor: http://essentialtremor.org/

Dystonia: http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/

Clinical Trials: www.clinicaltrials.gov

Functional Movement Disorders: www.neurosymptoms.org

 

Helpful Patient Handouts:

Patient Information: MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Essential Tremor

A Patient's Guide to  Exablate Neuro Trans-Cranial MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Essential Tremor

Essential Tremor: Surgical Options

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  1. Inclusion

    • 21-65 years old
    • DSM-V diagnosis of OCD with a 5-year illness history & min score of 28 on Y-BOCS scale
    • Medication-refractoriness including 1) Failed trial of three or more 1st line medications 2) Attempted augmentation, if tolerated, by at least 2 medications known to be first line treatments for OCD 3) An adequate trial of cognitive behavioural therapy
    • Able to communicate sensations during the ExAblate MRgFUS treatment
    • Stable dose of medications, 6 weeks prior to study entry

  2. Exclusion

    • Unstable cardiac status
    • Severe kidney disease (eGFR<30)
    • Abnormal bleeding and/or coagulopathy
    • History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage
    • Untreated, uncontrolled sleep apnea
    • Unable to tolerate prolonged stationary supine position
    • Unable to communicate with the investigator and staff
    • Presence of cognitive impairment, psychosis, or brain tumour
    • Substance abuse or dependence within the previous six months.

Please call Dr Beverly Adams (Psychiatry) at 403-944-1491.

To be updated.

OCD Clinic: Access Mental Health at 403-943-1500

OCD Workbook Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: https://tinyurl.com/cxy86vbc

American Psychiatric Association Help with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd

National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

Anxiety and Depression Association of America: https://adaa.org/

Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/

MRgFUS