Brain degeneration disorder caused by a lack of dopamine, commonly found in people aged 60 and above, and can also be found in middle-aged individuals who have family members who have previously had this disease. It often starts with shaking of the limbs, jaws, or face, muscle stiffness, slow movement, difficulty speaking or swallowing, depression, and melancholy. Many often mistake these for normal aging symptoms, but if left untreated until symptoms rapidly worsen, it makes recovery difficult.
Although Parkinson’s is a chronic disease, symptoms can be controlled by detecting abnormalities in the part of the brain that produces dopamine with PET Brain F-DOPA technology to diagnose the severity of the disease, or treating Parkinson’s with surgery to implant a microchip to stimulate the deep brain (DBS Therapy) to control movement, reduce medication use, and improve daily life for the patients.
Parkinson’s and the Elderly
Currently, Parkinson’s Disease is becoming more common due to an aging society. Abnormally fast movements include shaking (tremor), twitching (myoclonus, tics disorders), muscle twist and twitch (dystonia), or jaw movements, or movements resembling theatre dance (chorea) etc. These conditions must be diligently investigated to find the cause for root-cause treatment. Now, diagnosis can be performed using CT, MRI, and especially PET Scan technology, particularly F-DOPA PET, which can provide a more detailed confirmation diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s and Treatment
The effective treatment for Parkinson’s includes replacing the missing dopamine with medication. There are several highly effective types of drugs available that improve patients’ symptoms. For those who develop side effects from long-term medication use (motor fluctuations), treatment can include implanting an electrode to stimulate the deep brain (deep brain stimulation), together with reducing the amount of medication used and minimizing side effects.
The surgery process is divided into 2 stages, namely:
- Surgery to implant a small electrode into the subthalamic nucleus of the brain, involving drilling small holes in the skull, and testing whether the patient’s condition improves by stimulating that brain part while the patient is conscious throughout the procedure. If successful, the next stage of the surgery proceeds.
- Surgery to implant a small electrical stimulator (IPG DBS battery) in the chest, connected to the brain electrode. After 3 – 4 weeks, the device’s program is set at the chest and the patient’s response to the symptoms is monitored. This can reduce stiffness, shaking and improve movement. Turning the device on or off or adjusting settings can be done externally by a remote programmer by a doctor or by the patient themselves with a device called patient self programmer.
Treatment with botulinum toxin injection is used for Hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia, muscle spasticity from stroke paralysis, to reduce muscle stiffness, twitching, and pain from muscle tightness. This substance temporarily inhibits the muscle’s activity by preventing the release of acetylcholine at the nerve endings connected to the muscle. The effect of the injection does not take place immediately but takes 3 – 4 days and reaches its peak in the 2nd week, with treatment effects lasting 2 – 3 months. This substance can also reduce sweating which is the cause of body odor.
Center for Brain and Neurological Disorders Bangkok International Hospital
Ready to restore happiness to every movement
Enjoy the Move by Bangkok International Hospital Call: 1719
