WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute’s innovative Ultrasound Treatment shows promise in battling opioid addiction

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. are struggling with opioid use disorder, and in Morgantown, a team of doctors at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is currently conducting clinical trials for a new method to help those with addiction.

“Right now we have all kinds of medications that are working for some but not working for others, and yet, we’re still seeing the opioid death rate increase, so we’re needing to think a little bit outside of the box.”

Dr. Daniel Farmer, Medical Director, Center for Hope and Healing, Medical Director Practitioner Health Committee WVU

Though Doctor Daniel Farmer has been working with addiction patients for years, about six months ago, he, alongside a team of doctors at the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, led by Primary Investigator Doctor Ali Rezai, began clinical trials in a low-intensity focused ultrasound study.

“Targeting the nucleus accumbens, which is a deep structure within the brain that’s responsible for reward activity and cravings. So, being able to target this specific location, we’re able to hopefully control someone’s cravings for substances.”

Dr. Daniel Farmer

To qualify for the study, patients have to first go through the Center for Hop and Healing Detoxification Center, which lasts five to seven days.

Then, patients can choose to go to a 28-day residential treatment where they receive therapy and can qualify to be part of the study.

The actual treatment only takes about 20 minutes and is done only once.

“During the actual session, we’re also showing pictures of substances to try to trigger people, and then get their rating from a scale of 1-10 regarding specifically what substances they’re using, anxiety, fears, cravings.”

Dr. Daniel Farmer

Farmer says patients have reported feeling a type of disconnect when starting the treatment.

“And see those pictures, they’re noticing a dissociation rather than a strong craving towards that.”

Dr. Daniel Farmer

After the one treatment, the team will follow the patient for three months for the study but will continue to follow up.

As for how successful the study is, Farmer says a relapse is considered par for the course.

“If they are relapsing, they’re getting back into treatment very quickly compared to before.”

Dr. Daniel Farmer

Although this study is currently focused on opioid use disorder, Farmer says they hope to extend that in time.

Currently, there are four patients who have been enrolled in the study, with a goal of 30 patients.

He says results so far are promising, and their ultimate goal is to see this treatment used worldwide.

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