Spinal Cord Stimulation Eases Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

A long-term treatment that involves electrically stimulating the spinal cord can ease symptoms of Parkinson s disease, a new study finds.

Researchers from Duke Medicine conducted a study on mice models which showed how it may be possible to use non-drug treatments to prevent Parkinson's disease - a type of neurological condition caused by the death of cells that generate dopamine, which is responsible for coordination -- from affecting an individual. Some symptoms include trembling of hands and legs, stiffness, poor balance and lack of coordination between the hands and legs.

As of late, the disease can be treated with a drug called L-opa which replaces dopamine. However, researchers claim it can cause side effects and may also lose its effectiveness over time. In 2009, a team of researchers from the university developed a device that they attached to the spinal cord of rodents in rats. They wanted to look at the long-term effects of the treatment so they left it attached to the spinal cord over six weeks with twice a week for 30 minutes.

The researchers found out that when they turned on the device, the rodent started moving with greater flexibility. Currently, the dorsal simulation is being used in patients suffering from chronic pain. Other research on small number of people has shown that the therapy can restore motor function. "This is still a limited number of cases, so studies like ours are important in examining the basic science behind the treatment and the potential mechanisms of why it is effective," researchers said.