Low-frequency deep brain stimulation appears to give better results in improving difficult-to-treat Parkinson’s symptoms. Patients with swallowing dysfunction and freezing of gait showed significant improvements after low-frequency treatment compared with the more usual high-frequency deep brain stimulation. Share on Pinterest Parkinson’s disease usually affects people over the age of 50. These were the findings of a new study published in the journal Neurology. Lead author and principal investigator Tao Xie, assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Chicago, says: “This is the first study to successfully treat swallowing dysfunction, and one of the first to treat difficulty with gait, using this unusual low-frequency 60 hertz stimulation.” Prof. Xie explains that these conditions are usually hard to treat with drugs and the more common high-frequency 130 hertz deep brain stimulation. He and his colleagues believe their findings will make a significant difference to improving quality of care and potentially reducing Parkinson’s disease severity and deaths.

Deep brain stimulation can alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms that do not respond to drugs Parkinson’s disease is a motor system disorder that results from loss of brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine. It usually affects people over the age of 50. The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face; stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination. The disease develops subtly and gradually and progresses at different speeds in different people. As it progresses, patients find it harder to walk, talk and complete simple tasks. Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include emotional changes, depression, difficulty in swallowing and chewing, problems with speaking, urinary problems, constipation, sleep disruption and skin problems. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, although a range of medications and treatments can have dramatic results in alleviating symptoms. The condition is most often treated with levodopa combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain, replenishing the dwindling supply there. However, not all patients respond to this treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is often used to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s that cannot be controlled with drugs. In DBS, a “brain pacemaker” is implanted that sends carefully programmed electrical impulses to selected areas of the brain. So far, routine use of DBS employs a high-frequency 130 hertz impulse. But this is not very effective at treating swallowing problems and freezing of gait – both symptoms that can lead to disability and early death of Parkinson’s patients.