Past club member Jason Sheper gave an update on his recent treatment for Parkinson's. Jason, who had no family history of Parkinson's attributes getting the disease to his 19 years running a 53 suite outdoor hotel that was regularly sprayed with pesticides and his exposure to the toxins. Basically, the disease involves the loss of dopamine producing neurons.
After researching how best to deal with the disease he found that two surgeries were possible. DBS was an invasive surgery with implanted electrodes and a chest pulse generator that needed regular maintenance and follow up. The other was FUS which uses high intensity focused ultrasound beams to destroy targeted brain tissue. That's the one he chose but it was not available in North America. He went to Spain for his surgery.
After researching how best to deal with the disease he found that two surgeries were possible. DBS was an invasive surgery with implanted electrodes and a chest pulse generator that needed regular maintenance and follow up. The other was FUS which uses high intensity focused ultrasound beams to destroy targeted brain tissue. That's the one he chose but it was not available in North America. He went to Spain for his surgery.
The result was immediate elimination of tremor and bradykinesia on his right side. The next morning he could walk! There were several side effects because of brain swelling at the site (which hopefully will abate within 6 months of his May 1 surgery as swelling goes down).