Researchers develop Parkinson’s treatment beyond their ‘wildest dreams’

Researchers in Canada have developed a treatment, which restores the movement of Parkinson’s disease patients by delivering electrical stimulation to their spines.

Currently, as the disease progresses, a quarter of patients have difficulty walking, often freezing on the spot and losing their mobility.

Lead researcher of the study Professor Mandar Jog, said that the benefits of the new treatment to patients was ‘beyond his wildest dreams’.

He went on to say “Most of our patients have had the disease for 15 years and have not walked with any confidence for several years.

“For them to go from being home-bound, with the risk of falling, to being able to go on trips to the mall and have vacations is remarkable for me to see.”

Under normal circumstances, walking involves the sending of instructions from the brain to the legs to move. Signals are then sent back once the movement has been completed before sending instructions for the next step.

The researchers believe Parkinson’s disease reduces the number of signals returning to the brain, breaking the loop and causing the patient to freeze. The implant developed helps to boost the signal, thereby enabling the patient to work normally.

Research manager at Parkinson’s UK, Dr Beckie Port, said “The results seen in this small-scale pilot study are very promising and the therapy certainly warrants further investigation.

“Should future studies show the same level of promise, it has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life, giving people with Parkinson’s the freedom to enjoy everyday activities.”

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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.