New Parkinson's Device Tested Here

by Diana Palotas
photo by Andrew Heinze
Published Feb 12, 2008
http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?..._story_type=18

Medications often wear out for patients with Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders. There's now a new device using deep brain stimulation being tested at the University of Rochester Medical Center that may help control their symptoms.

“Can you kick out a rhythm with your foot...tap tap tap."

For 15 years, medications helped Bill Boothby control his Parkinson's Disease. Then, he says, “it was like turning off a light switch."

The drugs' effectiveness wore off...and the tremors and slowness and stiffness came back with a vengeance. The retiree says “ By June I was housebound."

Bill was a prime candidate for deep brain stimulation. It's been around for years. There is now a new device for DBS. The University of Rochester Medical Center is one of just 12 nationwide testing out the new Libra DBS system. Dr. Frederick Marshall says, “This is the electrode that actually ends up going to the brain."

In this system, neurostimulators are implanted under the collarbone. Wires or leads run from the pocket-watch-sized device under the skin... into the brain through a small opening in the skull. Patients like Bill are awake for the entire procedure...and remember it. Bill says. “I do. It didn't hurt. But it was a little scary."

The system then functions like a heart pacemaker...delivering mild electrical stimulation to areas of the brain than control movement.

The new device is being tested on some of the more than 1.5 million patients with Essential Tremor. This movement disorder is actually more common than Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Marshall says these patients often see immediate relief from DBS. He says, “With Parkinson's it can take a bit longer. The person needs to live with the stimulators for awhile to see how they'll respond."

Bill had the DBS device implanted in September. “It's like your life has been returned to you."

Bill is now back to doing the things he could do before the medications wore off...like driving...chasing his two grandkids and golfing. “I don't know if it's the medication or the stimulation but a combination of both is a winning ticket.".

For more information on the Libra DBS clinical trial underway, contact the University of Rochester Medical Center.