A groundbreaking treatment has been shown to be effective in easing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination. The treatment, called adaptive brain stimulation, uses electrical messages controlled by a computer program to send signals to electrodes implanted in the brain.
At CU Anschutz, researchers activated this technology for the first time outside of a research setting, using it on 75-year-old patient Kate, who has struggled with Parkinson’s since 2019. The treatment seemed to help alleviate symptoms such as trembling hands and fingers.
Deep brain stimulation has been used to treat epilepsy for over three decades, but this new system adjusts therapy in real-time to individual brain activity. Researchers believe this could improve the lives of thousands of patients worldwide.
The treatment requires two surgeries: implanting electrodes in the brain and an implantable pulse generator under the skin. The computer control helps manage pulses to the brain, treating motor problems associated with Parkinson’s.
While funding for research is uncertain due to budget cuts proposed by the new administration, researchers remain hopeful that this technology could be tailored for individual patients. They believe it has the potential to improve management of Parkinson’s symptoms and provide a personalized treatment.
Source: https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/21/colorado-advanced-parkinsons-disease-groundbreaking-treatment