-There is a new treatment under investigation for Parkinson’s Disease.  According to an article published in the latest issues of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, burning a specific area of the brain produced a significant and sustained benefit in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
Currently, the treatment of choice for patients with advanced Parkinson’s Disease is Deep Brain Stimulation of an area of the brain called the subthalamic nucleus.  This involves implanting a pacemaker type devise into the patient which sends electrical charges to the subthalamic nucleus deep in the brain.  Hyperactivity of the subthalamic nucleus is a fundamental part of Parkinson’s Disease and this can be controlled with Deep brain stimulation.

Subthalamotomy involves burning a specific area of the brain which blocks the effects of the hyperactive subthalamic nucleus.

Researchers reported on a study of 89 patients who underwent a Subthalamotomy over a period of 36 months.
The patients underwent a neurosurgery procedure with a radiofrequency probe which warmed the area of the brain up to 158 degrees creating a lesion in the brain.

Sixty-eight of the 89 patients were followed for 36 months and showed significant benefit from the procedure and required less medication.
Fourteen patients had significant complications after the procedure.

The traditional Deep brain stimulation is complicated and requires that a mechanical devise be implanted in the chest wall and electrodes connected deep in the brain.  Although this study shows us an alternative to this, the complication rate is excessive and the outcome was not superior.
Cristopher Geiler, M.D.
September 1st 2009

Reference
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009;80:939-940,979-985.