What are the Symptoms of Parkinsons?
Symptoms include tremors or shaking at rest, a loss of balance, rigidity of the limbs, a slowed walking pace and a soft, sometimes difficult-to-understand speaking voice. Occasionally, Parkinson’s can also cause sleep disturbances, dementia, depression, personality changes and sexual dysfunction. Symptoms generally get worse over time. What is Deep Brain Stimulation? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure used to treat Parkinson’s patients. It is designed to help them with their tremors, slowed movement and walking problems. DBS uses electrical currents to “jam” abnormal brain signals. DBS involves the implantation of a battery-operated neurotransmitter under the collarbone. Attached to this device is a pacemaker-like wire with an electrode at the tip. This wire is inserted just under the skin and led along the length of the neck up to the scalp, where it is placed through a small hole in the skull. The electrode tip is implanted in the target brain center. Once in place, electric
