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In the January, 2007 issue of Neurology contains a reference to the application of DBS for early stage PD patients. Results of the study seem impressive: "Quality of life was improved by 24% in surgical and 0% in nonsurgical patients (p < 0.05). After 18 months, the severity of parkinsonian motor signs "off" medication, levodopa-induced motor complications, and daily levodopa dose were reduced by 69%, 83%, and 57% in operated patients and increased by 29%, 15%, and 12% in the group with medical treatment only (p < 0.001). Adverse events were mild or transient, and overall psychiatric morbidity and anxiety improved in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Subthalamic nucleus stimulation should be considered a therapeutic option early in the course of Parkinson disease." I was diagnosed with PD five years ago. My current symptoms include annoying tremors of my right hand and right foot which medications control to some degree. My neurologist has suggested I consult with another specialist about assessing the potential benefit of DBS. Many on our list have benefited from DBS, but up to this point DBS was only applied in later stage PD patients. I would like to reduce the tremors but I am not thrilled with brain surgery when the symptoms are annoying and not debilitating. Is the benefit worth the risks? Harvey Rosenfeld ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn