New Brain Treatment Gives Parkinson's Patients Hope

When Rebecca King Crews noticed numbness in her foot and a shake in her hand in 2012, her doctor dismissed it as anxiety. It took three more years and multiple specialists before she received her real diagnosis: early-onset Parkinson's disease at age 50.

King Crews, wife of former NFL player Terry Crews, recently opened up about her decade-long battle with the disease. She revealed how a newly FDA-approved treatment called bilateral-focused ultrasound has transformed her life with Parkinson's.

Early-onset Parkinson's affects only about 4% of all cases, striking people before age 50. The disease announces itself quietly, often with subtle signs like smaller handwriting, reduced sense of smell, or sleep problems before the telltale tremors appear.

This rarity contributes to frequent misdiagnosis, especially in women. Men receive Parkinson's diagnoses at 1.5 times the rate of women, partly because women's early symptoms often get attributed to anxiety or hormonal changes instead.

King Crews, also a breast cancer survivor, persisted until she found answers. Her advocacy now helps others recognize that dismissive diagnoses deserve second opinions.

The Bright Side

The new treatment King Crews underwent uses ultrasound waves guided by MRI to target specific brain areas controlling movement. Unlike traditional deep brain stimulation surgery, this approach requires no incisions and carries no surgical bleeding risk.

The FDA approved the bilateral therapy in July 2025, allowing treatment on both sides of the brain six months apart. Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained neurologist, calls it a "meaningful advance for the right patients."

While not a cure, the procedure represents a major leap forward in non-invasive treatment options. An estimated 1.2 million Americans will be living with Parkinson's by 2030, making accessible treatments increasingly critical.

Insurance coverage remains inconsistent, but medical experts encourage patients to advocate for access. Dr. Salinas emphasizes that "this technology deserves to be broadly available."

Research continues linking environmental factors like pesticide exposure and head trauma to early-onset cases. Strong evidence suggests regular exercise may help slow disease progression, offering hope through lifestyle changes alongside medical interventions.

People with young-onset Parkinson's typically experience slower progression and remain cognitively intact longer than older patients. They face different challenges, including more involuntary movements but less dementia.

King Crews' willingness to share her journey after years of private struggle sends a powerful message: persistence pays off, and breakthrough treatments continue emerging for those who need them.