Effects on the Brain

• Formation of Lewy Bodies

• Loss of nerve tissue

• Inability to manufacture dopamine properly

Detection

• Tremors and other symptoms

• Cocaine drops to measure eye dilation

• Computer voice pattern recognition

• SPECT or PET scan to look at dopamine transporters

Treatment Options

• Parkinson's disease can be treated by either drugs or surgery

• Several Drugs include

  • Levodopa - A drug that increases dopamine concentration in the striatum (brain).

  • Comt and Selegiline - Assists in the absorption of dopamine in the blood

  

  A pallidotomy is being performed by inserting a probe into the patient's brain

   

• Several Surgeries include.

  • Thalotomy - Destroys a groups of cells in the thalamus to prevent tremors

  • Pallidotomy - Insertion of a probe to destroy cells within the brain again to reduces tremors

  • Deep Brain Stimulation -  A pacemaker like device is inserted into the brain.  This device emits electrical impulses to help relax the brain and improve coordination

  • Neural Tissue Transplant - Transplantation of brain cells capable of producing dopamine