New Technology Offers Hope For Patients With Parkinson's Disease
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
(Washington, DC) -- There is new hope for people suffering from the brain disorder known as Parkinson's disease.
There is no known cure for the disease in which nerve cells in the brain that control muscle movement die off, causing uncontrollable trembling, stiffness, impaired balance and loss of coordination.
However, Minneapolis-based Medtronic Incorporated developed a deep brain stimulation, or DBS, device which led to a better quality of life for patients.
Over a six-month period, 71-percent of Parkinson's patients gained four-and-a-half hours per day of good motor functioning.
The small electrical device is implanted surgically in the chest with wires leading to electrodes in the brain.
The electrodes send signals to the areas of the brain which control movement.
The researchers say DBS may help patients whose symptoms are not well controlled by drugs.
(Copyright 2009 by Newsroom Solutions)
