For years, the primary treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been levodopa and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). These treatments help many patients, but their long-term effectiveness is limited, and they often come with significant downsides. At Stabilis Medical, we believe it’s time to explore new, non-invasive options.

Current Treatment Options

Levodopa is widely used to replenish dopamine levels in the brain, providing temporary relief from symptoms such as tremors and stiffness. For patients who no longer respond well to medication, DBS offers a surgical option, using electrodes implanted in the brain to regulate abnormal activity. While both treatments can offer symptom relief, they fall short in the long run.

But before we dive into why these treatments are insufficient, it’s essential to understand what Parkinson’s disease is and why effective long-term intervention is critical.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons begin to deteriorate, particularly in the substantia nigra, the area of the brain that controls movement. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that allows smooth and coordinated muscle movements. As these neurons die, the brain produces less dopamine, which leads to the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s:

• Tremors: Involuntary shaking that typically begins in the hands or fingers.
• Muscle Rigidity: Stiff muscles, limiting movement and making simple tasks difficult.
• Bradykinesia: A slowing down of movement, which can make routine activities like walking or getting dressed much more challenging.
• Impaired Balance and Posture: As the disease progresses, patients often develop a stooped posture and find it difficult to maintain balance, increasing the risk of falls.

Non-motor symptoms, including sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, and depression, can further complicate life with Parkinson’s, making effective intervention even more crucial.

The Limits of Levodopa and DBS

Levodopa, while effective in managing motor symptoms in the early stages of Parkinson’s, becomes less reliable over time. Patients often experience “on-off” periods, where the drug’s effects wear off unpredictably, leaving them unable to move for parts of the day. Long-term use also frequently results in dyskinesia—uncontrollable, jerky movements—which can be as debilitating as the disease itself.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), although useful in reducing tremors and stiffness, is an invasive surgical procedure. DBS does not stop disease progression, and as brain lesions form over time, its effectiveness can diminish. Additionally, DBS carries risks such as infection, stroke, and in some cases, cognitive decline. It also primarily addresses motor symptoms, leaving non-motor issues like sleep and mood disturbances untreated.

NMES and Exercise: A New Solution

At Stabilis Medical, we are focused on creating a non-invasive, long-term solution for Parkinson’s patients. Our approach combines Whole-Body Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (WB-NMES) with exercise to help address many of the core symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Tremors and Rigidity: WB-NMES delivers electrical impulses to the muscles, causing contractions that mirror voluntary movement. These contractions help strengthen muscles and reduce tremor intensity by regulating abnormal brain activity through feedback loops between the muscles and brain. Combined with exercise, this stimulation encourages the brain’s neuroplasticity, helping it reorganize its neural pathways to improve control over movements.

Bradykinesia and Motor Function: Exercise, already proven to increase dopamine release, becomes even more powerful when combined with NMES. This pairing can improve muscle strength and flexibility, allowing patients to move more easily and quickly. By retraining both the body and the brain, WB-NMES with exercise can restore coordination and balance, addressing the challenges of slowed movement and poor posture.

Non-Motor Symptoms: While NMES focuses on motor function, the physical activity enabled by NMES can have wide-reaching benefits, improving sleep, reducing depression, and enhancing cognitive function. As patients regain strength and movement, their overall quality of life improves, addressing the non-motor symptoms that medication and DBS often fail to tackle.

By offering this dual-action treatment, we aim to provide Parkinson’s patients with a long-lasting, non-invasive option that improves both motor and non-motor symptoms, giving them more control over their daily lives. For more information on how WB-NMES and exercise work together, explore our next article.

Sources: 

1. Parkinson’s Foundation. (n.d.). Deep brain stimulation (DBS). Retrieved from https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Treatment/Surgical-Treatment-Options/Deep-Brain-Stimulation
2. American Parkinson Disease Association. (n.d.). Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s. Retrieved from https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/deep-brain-stimulation-for-parkinsons-disease/
3. Neuronal and synaptic adaptations underlying the benefits of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. (2018). Translational Neurodegeneration, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-018-0114-0