Parkinson’s disease, which is a degenerative disease of the nervous system, can now be better managed as Nigerian doctors receive training.

 

According to a neurologist at Apollo Hospital, India, Dr. Pushpendra Renjen, there is a new technology called ‘Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)’ surgical procedure, in which the implant is inserted into the brain of patients to improve their quality of life.

 

Renjen, who spoke at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) organised by Diamond Helix Medical Assistance Limited in Lagos, said Nigerians suffering from movement disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease, would now get a new lease of life.

 

Symptoms of the disease, he said, are tremour, stiffness and slow movement of the body.

 

He said: “The causes of the disease are unknown. The risk factors are age, heredity and smoking. Adults, who are 60 years and above, are most vulnerable to the disease. Parkinson affects more people from 60 years and it is very common in male than female. For patients from 40 years, the disease is called young Parkinson’s disease. But, when it starts in an adult above 60 years, it is referred to as Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease.”

 

Renjen, who is a senior neurologist, said there were advances in the last 20 years to improve the quality of life of the patients by 60 per cent.

 

 

He continued: “Researches on the disease are ongoing across the world to ensure better management of the disease. There is headway in the long term treatment of the disease. But, there is no cure for the disease despite all that is available to the world today.”

 

He said the disease, which was first described by Sir James Parkinson in 1880s, can be managed with DBS. “It is a safe procedure, which is done by placing the implant into the deep area of the brain where the tremor comes from. More than 100 patients have had the DBS procedure in our hospital. About 20 of them are from Nigeria and the results were excellent.

 

“This is a major improvement in the treatment of movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease. We achieve between 70 to 80 per cent of stop tremour and other conditions in the patient with only small dosage of drugs given,” he said.

 

He said DBS can last a lifetime, but doctors should be careful to avoid infection while inserting the implant.

 

Besides, it has a chargeable battery, which lasts for about five years while non-chargeable ones last for about 12 years.

 

Renjen said the implant and treatment cost about N2 million. “The implant, which is manfactured in the United States, can also be used for epilepsy management. There are drugs for epilepsy, which are not in Nigeria,” he added.

 

He said patients with DBS now enjoy 80 per cent of tremor reduction, which is an improvement, adding that 65 per cent of Parkinson’s disease can be controlled with drugs.

 

By: Wale Adepoju

The Nation