PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in an area of the brain called substantial nigra, which causes a decrease in the production of a brain chemical called dopamine. The loss of dopamine in Parkinson’s disease causes cells in two parts of the brain, the thalamus and the globus pallidus, to become overactive.

SYMPTOMS

Tremor, stiffness, and walking and balance problems can occur. The disease is progressive and, in its later stages, may be associated with dementia.

TREATMENT

There are several approved and experimental treatment options for patients with movement disorders, such as drug therapy, deep brain stimulation, fetal cell transplantation, surgery, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Your physician will talk to you about the appropriate treatment for you and possible side effects.

TREATMENT WITH GAMMA KNIFE RADIOSURGERY

Conventional open stereotatic neurosurgery or non-invasive Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can be performed to relieve specific symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as slowness of movement, rigidity, or involuntary movements caused by some medications. Tremor caused by either Parkinson’s disease may also be relieved by such procedures. While conventional open neurosurgery requires the use of a needle or an external guiding device, the Gamma Knife uses 201 narrow beams of gamma radiation to treat a small, critically located target in the brain non-invasively.

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