Message #22 From:
The Machine Date: February 16, 2008 02:18:15 AM
Parkinson's Disease
PD
is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve
cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger
(neurotransmitter) that directs and controls movement. In PD, these
dopamine-producing nerve cells break down, causing dopamine levels to
drop and brain signals that direct movement to become abnormal. The
cause of the disease is unknown.
In the
Western world, there are currently 4 million PD sufferers, with the
number expected to increase by 10% by 2010, due to the general aging of
the population. In over 85% of cases, it occurs in people over the age
of 65, affecting approximately 1% of them. Annual treatment costs are
estimated at $18,000 per person. It is estimated that PD costs the
United States over $26 billion annually in disability costs and lost
productivity.
Drug Treatment Options
Current
drug treatment options for PD patients focus on treating the disease’s
symptoms and are basedon dopamine replacement or prevention of dopamine
breakdown (primarily Levodopa). With prolonged use, these drugs have
serious negative side effects. Prescription drugs to treat PD currently
generate sales of over $1 billion and the market is expected to grow to
approximately $2.3 billion by 2010, driven by the increase in size of
the elderly population and the introduction of new PD therapies that
carry higher price tags.
Deep Brain Stimulation
An
alternative approach to drug therapy, which has attracted widespread
attention is deep brain stimulation (DBS), a relatively new surgical
treatment introduced by Medtronics. FDA-approved DBS is a
patient-controlled treatment for tremors consisting of a
multi-electrode lead implanted into the brain. The lead is connected to
a pulse generator that is surgically implanted under the skin in the
upper chest. DBS suppresses tremor by delivering mild electrical
stimulation to block brain signals that cause the uncontrollable
shaking. It is turned on or off by the patient swiping a special magnet
over the generator. Typically the cost for treatment is up to $50,000.
