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Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of Americans. But now there is new hope - thanks to a remarkable therapy available at Salt Lake City Regional Medical Center called deep brain stimulation.
How Parkinson's Affects the Brain and Body
 While the specific cause of Parkinson's disease remains uncertain, we know its place of origin. Parkinson's symptoms occur when a region of the brain called the substantia nigra degenerates, and brain cells begin to die. This degeneration causes the brain to lose dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter that helps brain cells involved in motor control communicate with each other. Reduced dopamine levels lead to essential tremors, or body shakes, which are the most obvious effect of Parkinson's.
Essential tremor generally appears when the affected muscle is exerting effort and becomes worse during a performance situation, such as writing a check. Fatigue, strong emotions, low blood sugar, cold, caffeine, lithium salts and some antidepressants can make the tremors more intense. As the disease progresses, this shaking and loss of motor control can severely affect a person's ability to manage the tasks of daily living, including eating, dressing and taking care of personal hygiene.
How Deep Brain Stimulation Can Help Reverse the Effects of Parkinson's
Traditionally, physicians treated Parkinson's with a drug called Levodopa. While effective at first, after four to five years this medication often results in severe uncontrolled movements. For patients with advanced Parkinson's - for whom Levodopa is no longer effective - deep brain stimulation represents a viable new treatment option.
 Deep Brain Stimulation uses one or two pacemaker-like devices called neurostimulators to deliver electric stimulation to precisely targeted areas of the brain. The electrical signals shut off certain brain cells thought to become overactive in Parkinson's disease. Patients who receive deep brain stimulation undergo two surgical procedures to implant the neurostimulator and two other components inside the body:
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Lead - An insulated wire with four electrodes
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Extension - An insulated wire placed under the scalp that connects to the lead and runs behind the ear, down the neck, and into the chest below the collarbone, where it connects to the neurostimulator
Patients receive a programmer by which they can turn the neurostimulator on or off. Electric stimulation during "on" times reduces shaking and enables patients to gain more control over their body movements.
Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor Clinic
We also offer a Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic each Wednesday morning to help patients with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. Our services include:
If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or Essential Tremor, or believe you suffer from theses diseases and would like help, please contact our clinic coordinator to schedule an appointment by calling 350-4232.
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