According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, about 1.5 million Americans suffer with Parkinson’s. It is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder. Most patients affected with it are over 50, and it impacts slightly more men than women and more whites than blacks.

Nerve cells in a normal brain produce the chemical dopamine. Dopamine transmits signals to the brain that produce the smooth movement of muscles. Most people with Parkinson’s have damaged or dead dopamine-producing cells. Nerve cells are caused to fire wildly, which leaves patients unable to control their movements.

One of the primary drugs used in treatment is levodopa. It is often used in conjunction with carbidopa. Though not perfect, this combination of drugs can be very effective. In 1998, the FDA approved a brain “pacemaker” to help control tremors. A surgical option is a brain operation that has shown itself to be helpful for some Parkinson’s patients. It is called pallidotomy. A tiny electric probe is used to destroy a portion of the globus pallidus, which experts think is overactive in people with Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that this surgery’s effects are often temporary—lasting about two years.

Another brain surgery that offers some hope for treatment involves surgically implanting electrodes to stimulate the part of the brain that is related to impulsivity. When successful, people with the disease are able to reduce their medication intake by more than 60%. Exact placement of the electrodes is vital. A few millimeters can be the difference between success and failure.

An additional avenue of exploration involves implanting specialized cells, not to be confused with stem cells, found in the human eye into areas of the brain that have suffered damage because of Parkinson’s. This treatment is called Spheramine and in its early trials has shown improvement in symptoms with only one significant side effect—a headache.

Click on this link for more information on Parkinson’s Disease…Senior Health Care for the Denver Colorado Metro Area.

Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care