Sending electrical impulses deep into the brain of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease can eliminate or reduce the debilitating symptoms. Much like a pacemaker for the brain, the implanted device can help patients whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by the medications such as levodopa. University of Iowa Health Care neurosurgeon Kenneth Follett,M.D., has used deep brain stimulation for several years to help Parkinson's patients.

For patients with Parkinson's disease, the small surgical implant means a big difference in their lives. One patient reported that prior to surgery he couldn't pour water from one glass to another without spilling most of it. After the surgery, the water went from glass to glass with no spills. Another patient was asked to walk down the hall with the implant turned on. He walked down the hall and back and there was no detectable difference in his walk than anyone else. When asked to take the same walk with the implant turned off, tremors were so severe he could not take a step, let alone walk down the hall.

Follett says Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive disease of the nervous system that is characterized by four principal symptoms:

• Rigidity of the limbs
• Tremor of the limbs, more prominent in the hands
• Bradykinesia or difficulty initiating movement. It is the most prominent and disabling symptom.
• Postural instability or lack of balance

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