MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute made a big splash in the national media and the effects are still rippling.
RNI Director Dr. Ali Rezai featured their research into the use of ultrasound to help people suffering from substance abuse disorder during two segments on 60 Minutes last Sunday nigh on CBS. The procedure uses a directed ultrasound beam to “reset” the area of the brain associated with addiction.
WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Vice President Karyn Wallace told WAJR Radio the response since the story aired has been tremendous.
“Since the 60 Minutes airing Sunday night, the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) has received more than 1500 inquiries from people in 46 states and five foreign countries. This number continues to grow each day. We are actively triaging the calls based on people interested in being seen clinically, wanting to participate in our research clinical trials, wanting to collaborate on our research, or seeking additional information,” Wallace said. “We have a dedicated team for these respective areas, responding to each person who contacts us. Our goal is to connect those reaching out with the appropriate resources, and we will continue to progress in advancing the research and clinical trials at the RNI.”
The goal is to make this treatment available to more people, possibly in an out-patient setting. Rezai previously described how the process works and hoped for the future of the treatment.
“You come in, lay down in the MRI, a helmet goes on your head, and the ultrasound beam is delivered to the part of the brain involving addiction, then you get off the table and go home,” Rezai said. “Our goal is to work harder, do more research, and get more clinical trials.”