Spinal cord implant may improve mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease

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Author: Scarlett SherriffPublished: 21 April 2022

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A study from researchers in France has found that a spinal cord implant could improve sleep and mobility in people with orthostatic hypotension – a condition which is common in ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s.

Orthostatic hypotension, which can cause blood pressure to drop when standing, may also lead to dizziness, fainting and increasing difficulty walking and sleeping.

The latest research, shared in the New England Journal of Medicine, was carried out on a 48-year-old woman who had orthostatic hypotension but did not have Parkinson’s.

The patient had experienced fainting after taking a few steps, but after receiving the implant was able to walk more than 250m with a walking frame.

“She is not cured, she would not run a marathon, but this surgery has clearly improved her quality of life,” said neurosurgeon Dr Jocelyne Bloch.

Find out more about how a spinal cord implant could help people with Parkinson’s disease.

‘Advanced Parkinson’s’ is considered to be a controversial term by many. It generally refers to a time when symptoms have become more complex and have a stronger effect on day-to-day life – and when non-oral therapies begin to be considered as a viable option to manage symptoms. In the Hoehn and Yahr rating scale, ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s is represented by stages four and five.

To find out more about the latest Parkinson’s disease research, please visit Parkinson’s Europe website.

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Spinal cord implant may improve mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease

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Author: Scarlett SherriffPublished: 21 April 2022

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Podcast: Living with ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s disease

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Spinal cord implant may improve mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease

News

Author: Scarlett SherriffPublished: 21 April 2022

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sponsored article

Episodes

Podcast: Living with ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s disease

Carers' Corner

Advanced Parkinson’s: a survivor’s guide to ‘transcending the pain of death’

PD in Practice

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Could frailty be a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s disease?

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