... reducing symptoms. (J.A. Obeso, J. Gurudi, and M. DeLong, Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital., Surgery for Parkinson's disease, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 1997;62:2-8). These surgical approaches include pallidotomy and implantation of an electrical stimulator to counteract the effect of the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra. Another kind of brain surgery, in ... to identify individuals in some families genetically prone to developing Parkinson's disease, scientists plan to test methods of halting or at least delayin...

• Word Count: 2274
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... major pharmaceutical firms has been very successful over the past decade in providing more and better mediations to improve the quality of life for PD patients. As well as medications, surgical procedures are also available for PD patients. The procedures are sophisticated but reduce overall Parkinson disability. Thalamotomy and pallidotomy, for instance, are to help with tremors. One of the ... latest advances in neurosurgery is to conduct controlled trials with deep brain stimulation. During this procedure, an electrode is planted deep within the brain and controlled by the patient wit...

• Word Count: 2586
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... it may form the foundation of an effective therapy within four to five years (Chemistry and Industry, 2002). Medication is not the only treatment for Parkinson's disease. There are also surgical interventions. Surgery has been used to interrupt the damaged connections in the brain caused by PD, usually in the areas of the brain called the globus pallidus or the thalamus ... movements and uses an electrode to destroy the disturbing cells. On the downside, there are the risks of stroke, loss of vision, speech and swallowing difficulties, and confusion with this procedure. Brain tissue tra...

• Word Count: 928
• Approx Pages: 4