A treatment developed by a Scottish university has been hailed as a “miracle” by a trial patient

• Doctors at Dundee University are behind new technology that may help control tremors caused by the disease
• Global study hailed as ‘milestone for Scottish medicine’

Parkinson’s disease patients have been given hope of regaining their independence after a procedure to prevent tremors was carried out in Scotland for the first time.

Ultrasound thalamotomy, a non-invasive procedure which allows people living with the disease to control their movements, was carried out by a team from the University of Dundee’s medical school earlier this month.

An international clinical trial has been hailed by doctors at the university as a “milestone for Scottish medicine” and the patient who benefited from it a “miracle”.

It has been done on Parkinson’s patients elsewhere, but on a limited scale because the technology is not widely available, and has been done in Scotland on 60 patients living with essential tremor disorder in recent years.

Uncontrollable tremors are a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, an incurable disease, and are caused by reduced levels of dopamine in the brain.

The incision-free procedure uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to create a lesion in the part of the brain known as the thalamus that controls a person’s movements.

Ian Keir, 63, from Carnoustie, Angus, had the procedure this month and said he had regained his independence.

The retired firefighter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018 after suffering a two-year tremor in his right hand, and said the condition made him dependent on his wife for daily tasks – but he is now able to write again and cut his own food.

Mr Keir said: “It was very harmless to begin with but I had no control over it. From my research I had a feeling it was Parkinson’s.

“Over the years my tremors have gotten significantly worse. It was incredibly frustrating – I had to learn to eat with just a fork. Fortunately, my wife is very understanding and has been a great support.

“My handwriting was pretty much illegible – my right hand was shaky, but I never really got the hang of writing with my left hand.

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“It feels like a miracle to me. My tremors are completely gone – like I never had them. I am now able to do exactly what I could before.

“I can pour a jug of water, my handwriting is back and now I’m able to do things without thinking about them beforehand. Now I am able to cut my own food. Of course I was nervous, but the improvement was almost immediate.

“While I’m aware it’s not a cure for Parkinson’s, it is a cure for some of my symptoms. I am so grateful and want to enjoy every day to the fullest.”

Comedian Sir Billy Connolly, 81, was diagnosed with the degenerative disease ten years ago.

The university is one of the world’s leading centers for Parkinson’s disease research.

Dr Tom Gilbertson, consultant neurologist and honorary associate professor, said: “This is a milestone for Scottish medicine.

“We’ve already seen the transformative impact that similar procedures have on patients living with essential tremor, so to be able to do it again for those with Parkinson’s – who may never have dreamed of regaining such control over their movements – is a huge privilege.

“We have good experience in performing thalamotomy because we have been working with patients with essential tremor for several years.

“However, we never realize the significance of what we do and the life-changing impact it has on our patients.

“The University is recognized globally as a leader in Parkinson’s disease research and opportunities such as this highlight the advances that have been made to help address this condition, which is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.

“Ian is proof that the research taking place here at the University is leading to life-changing advances for Parkinson’s patients.”

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