Non-pharmaceutical Treatments for PD: DBS and Focused Ultrasound

Published: Sept. 7, 2021, 11 a.m.

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Not all medical interventions for Parkinson\\u2019s disease (PD) involve drugs. Two other main treatments are deep brain stimulation (DBS) and focused ultrasound (FUS). DBS uses a surgically implanted electrical pulse generator connected to electrodes placed in the brain to stimulate areas involved in PD. FUS does not require surgery but aims ultrasound \\u2013\\xa0 high frequency sound waves \\u2013 at a specific area of the brain to relieve Parkinson\\u2019s symptoms.

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Each technology has its uses, advantages, and disadvantages. In this podcast episode, Kyle Mitchell, MD of Duke University in North Carolina discusses the two treatments, how each works, which patients may do best with either of them, and some caveats. He also looks ahead at what is in development.\\xa0

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