The use of focused ultrasound as a treatment for long-term substance abuse and addiction is gaining steam, with the West Virginia Universitys (WVU) Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) receiving a $2 million grant to conduct further research on the technique.

The donation comes from the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, which supports care initiatives that improve public health.

The funding will facilitate the expansion of clinical trials on focused ultrasound, specifically the procurement of equipment and the recruitment of skilled clinicians to conduct the research on the utilization of focused ultrasound to target the nucleus accumbens, a crucial brain structure implicated in addiction and anxiety.

In order to advance treatments for this worsening public health crisis, new approaches and ideas must be explored, Ali Rezai, M.D., executive chair of the RNI, said in a statement. We are deeply appreciative of the Encova Foundations partnership and support as we work to develop innovative treatments that could save lives and develop new addiction treatments.

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Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute receives $2M grant for ultrasound drug addiction treatments - Health Imaging