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Hi Phil, It would be helpful to know more about your dad his age, duration of his PD, other medical conditions, and current treatment including whether his current neurologist specializes in movement disorders like PD and if he is having side effects to his current meds. There is a lot that can be done with medications before going the route of surgery and that those possibilities should be exhausted first. In addition to the drugs on the market until recently pramipexole (Mirapex) has been added which offers some added advantages over previously marketed drugs. There are at least 3 others in the "pipeline" awaiting FDA approval. Regarding surgical procedures the most common is palidotomy which destroys an inhibitory center in the brain. Thalmotomy is also used and deep brain stimulation has just been approved by the FDA implanting a pacemaker-like device which essentially "turns off tremor when the stimulator is working. Fetal Cell transplants are undergoing double-blind evaluation at several locations but are far from common-place. Also pig cell implants are being done in Boston and are currently very experimental. Also neural growth factors both as oral (I believe) and by infusion directly into the brain are also in the experimental stages. If you let us know the answers to my questions I think we might be able to give you some direction to proceed. Charlie Philip Donley wrote: > > My father has severe PD with severe rigidity and balance problems. He > is also > losing his ability to speak, although he can still walk, with > difficulty. > > Does anyone know the status of treatments like cell implantation? Are > they > appropriate for all degrees of PD, and are they available in the U.S.? > Are > there any other good treatments on the horizon? > > Thanks. > > Philip Donley, Ph.D. ([log in to unmask]) -- CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. Middleton, WI [log in to unmask]