Brain implants are useful for Parkinson's patients

German and French scientists say an electrical device implanted in the brain improves the quality of life of Parkinson's patients, according to the Daily Mail.

Gunther Deushcl neuroscience professor from Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel (Germany) and colleagues in France conducted a study of 251 subjects within 2 years. These are patients in Germany and France with Parkinson's disease for about 7 years.

Parkinson's is a central nervous system disorder that progresses and causes symptoms like tremor, muscle stiffness, difficulty walking, talking and writing.

Up to now, there is no treatment but mainly control symptoms of the disease.

Picture of human brain

The research group implanted into the brain of a number of deep brain stimulating electrical devices; while some others only treated with drugs.

The implanted device is similar to a pacemaker, connecting to electrodes that are placed in certain places in the brain.

The device connects to a small battery placed under the skin on the chest or abdomen to generate light electrical signals to stimulate the brain. A handheld device will be used to turn on or turn off the device.

When operating, the device will prevent abnormal nerve signals that can lead to symptoms that affect the normal functioning of the patient.

The team found that those who received the device improved 26% of their quality of life (such as walking, talking, writing), compared with an unremarkable situation in those who only treated with drugs.

Subjects with implanted electrical devices in the brain also used fewer drugs and had no drug-related complications while patients treated with drugs had to increase the dosage.

The transplant cost is about £ 30,000 (about VND 900 million).

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.