A groundbreaking medical breakthrough has brought hope to millions of people living with advanced Parkinson’s disease in the US. Kate Goes In Center, a 74-year-old patient from Colorado, was the first in the nation to use adaptive deep brain stimulation technology to treat her condition.
Kate was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 after years of searching for answers. She met doctors Drew Kern and John Thompson, who have been working on this new technology with researchers worldwide. The treatment uses real-time brain signals to adapt electrodes placed in specific regions of the brain.
The previous method had limitations, requiring pre-predicted optimal settings that didn’t always work. Now, the technology adapts in real-time to provide a constant level of function for patients. According to Dr. Kern, this will reduce fluctuations and on-off time, giving patients more control over their condition.
A recent demonstration at UCHealth showed remarkable results, with Kate’s tremors disappearing within minutes. The treatment is now commercially available in the US, having already rolled out in Europe. Four procedures are scheduled for Monday at US centers, including UCHealth, and 10 more are planned for the coming weeks.
Patients who already have deep brain simulators can re-program their existing system in a matter of hours. Kate, who has grandchildren, feels hopeful about her treatment and its potential to improve her quality of life. The new technology has the potential to change millions of lives in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
Source: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/medical-breakthrough-uchealth-patient-first-in-the-us-to-receive-groundbreaking-parkinsons-treatment