World Parkinson’s Day 2014: Parkinson’s disease – treatments and therapies

All you need to know about Parkinson's treatment and aided therapies

By: Debjani Arora | | Updated: April 11, 2014 6:51 pm

Tags: World Parkinson's Day 2014

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A surgical treatment is offered to patients who have reached the advanced stage of the disease and medication ceases to provide any relief to their symptoms. The surgical options those are available for Parkinson’s patients are: Also Read - World Parkinson’s Day 2014: Awareness is the key to fight this disease

Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS: In deep brain stimulation two surgically implanted medical devices called neurostimulators, similar to cardiac pacemakers are planted in the chest near the collarbone. These devices deliver electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas on each side of the brain. Stimulation of these areas appears to block the signals that cause the disabling motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As a result, many patients achieve greater control over their body movements.

A DBS system includes the following three components, which are implanted completely inside the body.

Neuro-stimulator: A pacemaker-like device is the power source for the system. It contains a small battery and a computer chip programmed to send electrical pulses to control Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Lead: An insulated wire with four electrodes is implanted in the brain, with its tip positioned within the targeted brain area.

Extension: An insulated wire placed under the scalp that connects to the lead and runs behind the ear, down the neck, and into the chest below the collar-bone where it connects to the neurostimulator.

Once the system is in place, electrical impulses are sent from the neurostimulator up along the extension wire to the lead and into the targeted brain area. These impulses interfere with and block the electrical signals that cause Parkinson’s symptoms.

With the DBS one of two areas may be stimulated: either the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or the internal globus pallidus (GPi). These structures are deep within the brain and involved in motor control. These structures control movement and muscle function. A neurosurgeon would determine which structure would be stimulated for the concerned patient.

While DBS can relieve some of the patient’s symptoms considerably it should be noted that it can target only some specific symptoms. It does not eliminate the use of drugs and medication nor does it result in the reversal of the PD symptoms.

Lesioning: This involves destroying or eliminating the specific part of the brain that is causing Parkinson’s diseases symptoms. However this surgery is rarely performed these days.

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Published : April 11, 2014 6:45 pm | Updated:April 11, 2014 6:51 pm