Megan Hutchinson
Staff Reporter
“I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice is a million other choices that I can make”. - Michael J. Fox
Parkinson’s disease affects over 10 million people today. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that affects body movements and worsens progressively over time. Unfortunately, there is still no cure for this disease. Many people who live with Parkinson’s experience tremors, slow movement, stiff muscles, unsteady walk, and poor coordination skills. Not only does Parkinson’s affect bodily movements, but it can also cause dementia, anxiety, apathy, and depression.
In the past, healthcare professionals have used electrical stimulation to treat symptoms. However, serious side effects can follow with continuous use. Additionally, healthcare professionals have used levodopa, a dopamine replacement. But, this drug eventually loses effectiveness, and motor complications can develop. Once prescription replacements begin to lose benefit, high frequency, deep brain stimulation is used to treat symptoms.
Recently, scientists have discovered that using short bursts of stimulation to targeted areas may improve longevity and effectiveness. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania has been doing research to improve the abilities and motor skills of people living with Parkinson’s. The university has begun optogenetic manipulation by using light to control targeted neurons. Because of their studies, they concluded specific neurons could be targeted with electrical stimulation. The targeted treatment restores and maintains movement. Alas, it has only been studied on laboratory mice. Research conductors do believe they will be able to transfer the method of treatment into humans. On the contrary, Dr. Kopell states, “until we see similar results in humans or nonhuman primates, we should try to curtail our excitement”.
People who live with Parkinson’s are regular people just as everyone else is. They are completely capable of living “normal” long and meaningful lives.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. During that month and all year long there are opportunities to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Moving Day, or National Parkinson’s Foundation. By donating to these foundations, scientists are one step closer to curing Parkinson’s disease.
Image Credit: Health Magazine
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