An alternative treatment to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) could bring new hope to people living with Parkinson's disease.
A simple and cheap device that stimulates the spinal cord with electricity has proved to be dramatically effective in early research in mice and rats.
Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development at the Parkinson's Disease Society, said:
"Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can be very effective in the treatment of some people with Parkinson's. However, DBS is very invasive to the brain and can cause side effects.
"This new study suggests that it may be possible to stimulate the nerves in the spine to send an electrical signal up into the brain with a similar effect to that seen in DBS, without being as invasive.
"These initial studies have been carried out in animals. But if they become possible for people with Parkinson's, it could greatly increase the range of treatment options available for the condition.
"An operation of this kind would cost significantly less than DBS, so is likely to be more widely available." |