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(The following is taken from Dr. Iacono's "Victory" website about pallidotomy -) James B. Slater, Ph.D., is Director of Nuclear Pharmacology for the Loma Linda UniversiTy > Medical Center. Among his other assignments, he oversees the generation of brain scans by the > SPECT system. > > Similar in some ways to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, the SPECT system is brand > new technology that has been available for less than a year. A coordinated set of three scintillation > cameras scan the patients brain. A computer quickly converts all of the camera data into brain > cross-section video pictures that show viable tissue, and different colors can be assigned to show > different levels of demand for nourishment (blood) within the brain so the metabolic activity level of > different regions of the brain can be quantified. > > Dr. Slater is working with Dr. Iacono as they make new discoveries about PD by means of the > SPECT scanner. "Results of the scan are showing us that Parkinson's patients have a greatly > reduced flow of blood to the brain before receiving a pallidotomy," states Dr. Slater. "As soon as > the morning after surgery, scans show a greatly increased flow of blood to the brain tissue. We > observe dramatic improvement in frontal lobe function by increased blood flow and metabolism; > possibly impacting depression, motivation and the higher human attributes. We have been doing this > test for several months now, and follow-up testing shows that circulation continues to improve as > time passes." > > Dr. Iacono is guarded about drawing conclusions too soon, but conjectures that stopping the > hyperactive phenomena in the Parkinson's brain may allow circulation to return to normal. While > there may be no new brain cells available, he postulates that there are probably some number of > neurons that have been suppressed, not working very hard, that could be pressed into more > vigorous service, thus improving the mental and physical functioning of the patient. Dr. Iacono and > Dr. Slater believe that as they are able to compile more data, SPECT will help them come closer to > knowing what causes PD and how symptoms can be fully alleviated. > > Dr. Iacono's most recent advance is the insertion of an electrical deep brain stimulator into the > globus pallidus, connected to a pacemaker type of device implanted in the patients side. The FDA > approval allows Dr. Iacono to install one a month over the next year on an experimental basis. The > first patient to receive the stimulator was Carolyn Wilson of San Diego. Ms Wilson had come to a > point of complete dysfunction. A month after receiving the stimulator, all of her symptoms were > gone, except for a small tic in her shoulder and neck. After two months, even that was gone, and > she reports that her mental and physical states continue to improve even more as time passes. > > Dr. Iacono says, "We are surprised to find that the stimulation not only removes adverse > symptoms, but seems to bring about rededication of dormant brain cells, which would explain a > continuing improvement. (From: Janet) Re: Theories/Causes of PD I thought this was very interesting especially regarding (1) Reduced blood supply to brain in PD & symptoms alleviating when adequate blood supply is restored. (2) "Dormant" brain cells coming to life w/adequate blood supply. Someone like to explain/comment ?? How does this fit w/lamebrain/degenerative/dead brain cell theory? Thanks, Janet [log in to unmask]