New Hope for Parkinson's Patients-A High Tech Brain Implant

A high-tech brain implant is capable of transforming the lives of individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Scientists in Bristol have developed a system of tubes and catheters that allows them to pump protein therapy deep into patients' brains.

Highly Educated More Prone To Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is more likely to strike the highly-educated than manual workers, meaning that an individual's educational and career paths impact Parkinson's disease risk later in life.

It is hoped the technique will encourage cells damaged by the disease to grow again, Sky News reported.

The protein, known as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), is injected once a month through a port just behind the ear and pushed through the tubes and catheters by an external pump.

Doctors at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, have trialled the system on six patients and are now looking for another 36 to continue the research.

Drug Pramipexole Usage Linked To Gambling Addiction In Parkinsons Patients
Dr. M. Leann Dodd and colleagues from Minnesota medical center, Rochester has found new evidences between the usage of the drug Pramipexole, which is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and severe addiction to gambling.

"For years, the potential of GDNF as a treatment for Parkinson's has remained one of the great unanswered research questions," Dr Kieran Breen, director of research and innovation at Parkinson's UK, said.

"This new study will take us one step closer to finally answering this question once and for all."

Scientists May Have The Answer To Parkinsons
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that often deteriorates movement.

"We believe GDNF could have the potential to unlock a new approach for treating Parkinson's that may be able to slow down and ultimately stop the progression of the condition all together," Breen said.

Source-ANI