A study published in the 20 March issue of the journal Science concluded that by electrically stimulating the spinal cord of rodents some of the worst symptoms of Parkinson’s disease were reversed.

 

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina conducted by Prof. Miguel Nicolelis developed a prosthetic device that delivers electrical stimulation to the dorsal column in the spinal cord, which is a main pathway for carrying tactile information from the body to the brain.

 

The mice involved in the research were depleted of dopamine, the chemical that is lacking in brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. By using spinal cord stimulation, the researchers noted that the slow, stiff movements of mice were replaced with the active behavior of healthy animals.

 

To be more specific, the animals were 26 times more active when the device was used without additional medication. When the device was associated with medication, only two doses were needed to produce movement compared to five doses when the medication was used by itself.

 

“If we can demonstrate that the device is safe and effective over the long term in primates and then humans, virtually every patient could be eligible for this treatment in the near future,” said Prof. Nicolelis.

 

The National Parkinson Foundation estimates that about 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease and another 60,000 are diagnosed each year. Te condition causes impairment of the affected person’s motor skills, speech and several other functions. It is characterized by muscle rigidity and tremor and can often come to render the patient incapable of moving. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15 percent of those diagnosed are under 50.