MAGNETIC STIMULATION FOR PARKINSON'S
In the United States, more than one million Americans have Parkinson's disease. It is a neurological condition that can cause slowness and instability, but, a new type of therapy can improve both of these problems.
 |
Transcript of the story
|
|
Healthy For Life Extra
extra information about the story |
|
For More Information
where to go for help |
Larry Criner not only takes nature walks for pleasure, he's made a life out of capturing nature on film.
Larry Criner
"For me, it's a place where I can come and find quietude."
For nearly 15 years, Larry has dealt with Parkinson's disease.
Larry Criner
Has Parkinson's
"It affects me. It really does. I mean this is a disease of the brain, of the mind, and it plays very big games on your head."
Larry recently joined a new study with neurologist mikhail lomarev. He's testing transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
Mikhail Lomarev, Ph.D., M.D.
Neurologist
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD
"We think that TMS -- that's the abbreviation for transcranial magnetic stimulation -- that TMS makes patients' brains more sensitive to the medication he or she is already taking."
A pulse of induced electrical current targets areas of the brain that control movement.
Mikhail Lomarev, Ph.D., M.D.
"Our goal is to improve stiffness in patients. To make them move faster than they did it before, without magnetic stimulation."
They have achieved that, but results have been short-lived. Larry doesn't know yet whether this will help him long-term. Until then, he's optimistic and will continue to do what he can.
This therapy has been tested and used in depressed patients for more than a decade. Doctors say the study with Parkinson's patients will likely continue for several years.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Parkinson's disease is part of a group of conditions called movement disorders. It exists for a long period of time, and it gets worse over time. Doctors say it occurs when a group of cells that produce a chemical called dopamine begin to malfunction and eventually die. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that transports signals to the parts of the brain that control movement. When Parkinson's disease occurs, research shows these cells begin to die at a faster rate and the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases.
Neurologist Mikhail Lomarev, Ph.D., M.D., of the National Institutes of Health, says the four primary symptoms are:
- tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
- rigidity or stiffness of the limbs
- bradykinesia or slowness of movement
- instability or impaired balance and coordination
It's estimated that as many as 1 million Americans have Parkinson's disease. Nearly 15 percent of people are diagnosed before the age of 40, but the incidence increases with age.
TREATMENTS: There is currently no cure for the disease, but several treatments help the symptoms. According to Dr. Lomarev, over time the most commonly used medications become less and less potent. When a dosage is increased, patients often will have severe motor complications. Therefore, it is important to determine the best dosage for the maximum effect without causing side effects.
TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION: A new study is looking at the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on Parkinson's disease symptoms. rTMS is a way of stimulating the brain that may change the electrical activity of the nerve cells in the brain. It has been proposed as a treatment for brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease. In preliminary studies, some patients' symptoms improved, some worsened temporarily, and some showed no change. Patients between 40 and 80 years old with moderately severe Parkinson's disease, whose main problem is slowness of movement and stiffness, may be eligible for this study.
People will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: one will receive rTMS to parts of the brain involved in controlling movement; the other will receive sham, or placebo, stimulation. Nine treatments will be given over a 4-1/2 week period. Patients will take their medications during the study, but will stop taking them four to five hours before one of the sessions. For rTMS, an insulated wire coil is placed on the scalp. A short electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The pulses are delivered in short bursts, lasting one second each. There will be 48 bursts for a total of 1200 pulses per 24-minute session. The stimulation may cause muscle twitching in the scalp or face and may also cause small movements of the limbs.
Paul Girolami
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(301) 496-5751
Copyright © 2004 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
|
|
|
|
REVERSING SCLERODERMA
A risky treatment could be the answer for patients with serious forms of this disease. 
COLONOSCOPY-NOT JUST FOR COLON CANCER
A virtual colonoscopy detects a wide range of diseases outside the colon, which could save lives. June is national Scleroderma Awareness Month!
CLEARER MRI
A new invention helps doctors get clearer images of people who can't lie still.
HELP FOR BLOOD PRESSURE
An investigational device could help patients with this condition stay healthier.
SEEING THE HEART IN 3D
Researchers in the Netherlands are using virtual reality to see the heart like never before.
PANCREATIC CANCER VACCINE
A vaccine increases survival for patients with this deadly form of cancer.
NEW HELP FOR ALCOHOLICS
People who suffer from addiction may have a new option in the form of a pill.
TREATING URINARY INCONTINENCE
A sling helps women with this common problem find relief.
ROBOT REHAB FOR STROKE
A new robot is helping stroke patients recover without a therapist.
STEM CELLS HEAL HEARTS
Donor stem cells may be the answer for patients who suffer a heart attack.
BREATHING WITH EMPHYSEMA
A new, nonsurgical procedure could help patients breathe more easily.
DOPPLER PREDICTS STROKE
The same technology used to forecast a storm is helping doctors understand strokes and migraines.
BETTER BYPASS SURGERY
Cutting-edge technology allows doctors to fix a coronary bypass operation while the patient is still in surgery.
BETTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TREATMENT
A new treatment could reduce the risk of rejection within six months of a transplant.
WRAPPING RADIATION AROUND TUMORS
New technology allows doctors to target tumors with better precision.
CUTTING-EDGE SURGERY EDUCATION
Huge monitors and microscopic cameras are making it easier for surgeons to teach residents complicated procedures.
LUNG CANCER VACCINE
A vaccine under study offers hope for some patients who are diagnosed with this deadly cancer.
EASIER COLON CANCER TEST
A blood test may be the future in screening for colon cancer.
STEM CELLS FIGHT LUPUS
Using a patient's own stem cells could provide a cure for this devastating disease.
NEW SINUS RELIEF WITH A BALLOON
A new technique pushes sinus blockages out of the way and results in less pain.
HUNTINGTON'S HELP
A drug already approved in Europe and Canada could offer hope to patients who are plagued by this disease.
INHALED CHEMO
A new twist on standard chemotherapy offers less side effects and better precision.
STRENGTHENING BRITTLE BONES
A drug to treat osteoporosis is helping patients with a disease that weakens their bones.
BIRD FLU: BE PREPARED
Find out what you can do to prepare for the flu that experts think will hit the states in the coming months.
|
Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.
