Parkinson’s trial suggests disease symptoms ‘reversed’ by mini implant

A Bristol hospital is believed to be the first centre in the world to implant the smallest device into a brain to reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

 

Surgeons at Southmead Hospital used a tiny deep brain stimulation (DBS) device to override abnormal brain-cell firing patterns caused by the condition.

 

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, which leads to part of the brain becoming progressively damaged over time.  Symptoms include slow movement, stiff and inflexible muscles, and involuntary shaking of parts of the body.

 

Most symptoms develop over the age of 50, but around 5 per cent of sufferers first experience symptoms when they are under 40.

 

Traditional treatment for the disease involves implanting a large battery into the chest with wires run under the skin through to the top of the head.

 

The new DBS system, the smallest ever created, involves a tiny battery system for the device implanted into the skull, which then delivers electrical impulses directly into targeted areas of the brain.  Electric probes are put through the skull and deep into the centre of the brain, into the subthalamic nuclei.

 

Dr Alan Whone, a neurologist at Southmead Hospital, said “There are about 140,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK and about 14,000 who could benefit from this device if the trial continues to be successful.

 

“If you’re more elderly, or if you’ve got memory problems as part of your Parkinson’s, this wouldn’t be suitable for you.  But if you’re a younger person with Parkinson’s, who can have brain surgery and so on, then it becomes much more applicable to that group.”

 

If the medical regulator approves the treatment, then it could double the number of people who could benefit from it.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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