Experimental Treatments For Parkinsons Patients

Experimental treatments are being considered more and more as a way to treat Parkinson's patients. Two experimental treatments that are showing promise are deep brain stimulation (DBS) and GDNF (which stands for glial derived neurotrophic factor).

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical and experimental technique that involves implanting permanent electrodes in the thalamus portion of the brain. Repeated pulses of electricity, administered by way of a heart pacemaker are then used to stimulate the area in order to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

GDNF is a natural growth agent that is necessary in order for the brain to produce enough dopamine for proper functioning of the human body. In 2002 a pilot study conducted at the Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, southwestern England made use off GDNF. This experimental drug was directly pumped into the areas of the brain that were dopamine impaired. Dramatic improvements were noted in the patients who were a part of the study. Five patients found their mobility increased while one patient's sense of smell as well as vigor for humor returned.

The neurosurgeon leading the study reported that it is to be a three-year study but researchers involved in it were encouraged by the preliminary findings. It was theorized that GDNF would take months or even a number of years to show successful results for Parkinson's patients but within a couple of months of conducting the study, positive results were noted as was a decrease in the severity of symptoms.

Other studies done with GDNF have proven promising as well. Animal studies have shown that GDNF has the ability to block the degeneration of nerve cells and as a part of a gene therapy treatment has yielded very positive, uplifting results in allowing dopamine brain cells to work a great deal better than they did at the onset of the disease.

Stem cell therapies, although controversial, are being considered as experimental treatments to help Parkinson's sufferers. There are presently four types of stem cells that could be potentially beneficial to those afflicted with Parkinson's disease. These include blastocyst embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells and adult stem cells. Fetal stem cells are believed to be the most versatile in their ability to aid in disease prevention and the improvement of a disease's symptoms.

In the last two years the amount of embryonic stem cell lines being developed by scientists in laboratories has increased dramatically. It is believed that the constant expansion of stem cell cultures could make it possible for one stem cell line to aid in improving symptoms in hundreds, perhaps even as many as thousands Parkinson patients. New EU rules will be coming into effect in April 2006 regarding the use and subsequent testing of stem cells. All stem cell and IVF laboratories must agree to the new rules in order to remain operational.

New drugs are also being developed but many are still experimental in nature at the present time. However researchers hope that after being put through rigorous trials, that these drugs will be available to be prescribed for Parkinson's sufferers in the not so far off future. These drugs include COMT inhibitors and growth factors.


	Experimental Treatments For Parkinsons Patients Experimental treatments are being considered more and more as a way to treat Parkinson's patients. Two experimental treatments that are showing promise are deep brain stimulation (DBS) and GDNF (which stands for glial derived neurotrophic factor). Deep brain stimulation is a surgical and experimental technique that involves implanting permanent electrodes in the thalamus portion of the brain. Repeated pulses of electricity, administered by way of a heart pacemaker are then used to stimulate the area in order to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. GDNF is a natural growth agent that is necessary in order for the brain to produce enough dopamine for proper functioning of the human body. In 2002 a pilot study conducted at the Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, southwestern England made use off GDNF. This experimental drug was directly pumped into the areas of the brain that were dopamine impaired. Dramatic improvements were noted in the patients who were a part of the study. Five patients found their mobility increased while one patient's sense of smell as well as vigor for humor returned. The neurosurgeon leading the study reported that it is to be a three-year study but researchers involved in it were encouraged by the preliminary findings. It was theorized that GDNF would take months or even a number of years to show successful results for Parkinson's patients but within a couple of months of conducting the study, positive results were noted as was a decrease in the severity of symptoms. Other studies done with GDNF have proven promising as well. Animal studies have shown that GDNF has the ability to block the degeneration of nerve cells and as a part of a gene therapy treatment has yielded very positive, uplifting results in allowing dopamine brain cells to work a great deal better than they did at the onset of the disease. Stem cell therapies, although controversial, are being considered as experimental treatments to help Parkinson's sufferers. There are presently four types of stem cells that could be potentially beneficial to those afflicted with Parkinson's disease. These include blastocyst embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells and adult stem cells. Fetal stem cells are believed to be the most versatile in their ability to aid in disease prevention and the improvement of a disease's symptoms. In the last two years the amount of embryonic stem cell lines being developed by scientists in laboratories has increased dramatically. It is believed that the constant expansion of stem cell cultures could make it possible for one stem cell line to aid in improving symptoms in hundreds, perhaps even as many as thousands Parkinson patients. New EU rules will be coming into effect in April 2006 regarding the use and subsequent testing of stem cells. All stem cell and IVF laboratories must agree to the new rules in order to remain operational. New drugs are also being developed but many are still experimental in nature at the present time. However researchers hope that after being put through rigorous trials, that these drugs will be available to be prescribed for Parkinson's sufferers in the not so far off future. These drugs include COMT inhibitors and growth factors. 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