The Parkinson's Support Group of Tarrant County held a Symposium on Deep
Brain Stimulation today. Principal speaker was Dr. Gary Heit of Stanford
University. Dr. Heit made an excellent presentation on DBS and Medtronic's
Activa(tm) device, explaining its role in controlling tremor in Essential
Tremor and Parkinson's.
At present, Dr. Heit explained, the FDA has approved the use of the
Activa(tm) only for use with the electrode connected to the Vim (ventral
intermediate nucleus) of the thalamus, where tremor is all that it can
control. However work is being done with the electrode being placed on the
sub-thalamic nucleus. This could help control other Parkinsonian symptoms,
including dyskinesia and dystonia.
Dr. Heit feels that this will be the next big breakthrough in treatment for
Parkinson's, and a series of tests is planned for later this year, with
principal North American test sites being Emory in Atlanta, Oregon Health
Science Center, and Toronto. Other locations will be included - in my part
of the world, Dr. Heit suggested Baylor Hospital in Houston, and hospitals
in Tulsa and Kansas City. These will not be double blind studies, as there
is no way to give a test subject a placebo.
This came to me as a surprise, but perhaps it should not have. Using the
sub-thalamic nucleus as a target has been mentioned frequently in Joe
Bruman's report indices. It was also discussed at length by Margie
Swindler and others after a Kansas City Symposium about this time last year.
Dr. Heit's other major point was that he would not operate on a patient
until he was certain that all routes involving medication had been explored
by the patient's neurologist. If Dr. Heit didn't know or didn't trust the
neurologist, he would insist on a second opinion.
Dr. Malcolm Stewart has been on medical leave from his regular duties, but
he was there to discuss what the medical alternatives were. Following
lunch, we heard from Susan Imke about nutrition, offering much of what
Kathrynne discusses here, and Scott Palmer, a pharmacist. Three good
presentations that broke no new ground for me.
I thank the Fort Worth group for organizaing the Symposium, and I wish it
could have been attended by more Dallas people - but that is another topic.
Art
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Arthur Hirsch {} [log in to unmask] {} Lewisville, TX {} 972-434-2377
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Always Remember This: Happiness Is Right, So Choose Happiness
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