A sort of pacemaker for the brain is showing promising results in testing on people with Parkinson’s disease. More than two hundred people with advanced Parkinson’s disease participated in testing, held at university and Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country. Some were treated only with medication; others were randomly assigned the surgery to implant electrodes that would stimulate the brain. (This “brain pacemaker” is also known as deep brain stimulation.) After six months, the patients who had the brain pacemaker experienced a dramatic reduction in tremors, limb rigidity, and movement restriction. Many reported a reduction or termination of nerve burning/tingling … Continue reading →

Research from the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System in Honolulu, Hawaii has come up with a new warning sign for Parkinson’s disease — a warning sign that may appear several years before clinical symptoms show up. The researchers looked at data from an aging study with more than 2200 participants. Their focus? The ability to identify odors. About the study participants: 2267 men of Japanese ancestry Average age at time of initial study: 80 All free of symptoms of dementia at beginning of study All free of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease at beginning of study Researchers checked in with … Continue reading →