How Effective is Deep Brain Stimulation in Reducing the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Running head: MEDS2001
SID:
Title: how effective is deep brain stimulation in reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease and how far has the research progressed?
Name of the University
Author Note

1MEDS2001
Representative image

2MEDS2001
Parkinson’s disease (PD) refers to a degenerative disorder that affects the central
nervous system and creates an impact on motor functioning (Postuma et al. 2015). The
widespread prevalence of the disease can be associated with the fact that an estimated 340
Australians suffer from the degenerative disorder and 32 people get diagnosed with PD, every
day (Parkinson’s Queensland 2018). The mean age of onset of PD is roughly 60-65 years,
however, in rare cases it occurs among people aged between 20-50 years (Pringsheim et al.
2014). Recent reports also provide evidence for the fact that PD is the second most prevalent
neurological disorder in Australia and was associated with an estimated $10 billion cost in
2014 (Deloitte Access Economics 2015). Although there are several treatment modalities for
management of PD, deep brain stimulation is one procedure that has gained prominence in
recent years and involves the implantation of electrodes within specific areas of the brain,
thereby generating electrical impulses, and affecting the release of neurotransmitters. This
assessment will determine the impacts of deep brain stimulation on reducing the symptoms of
PD.
According to Berg et al. (2014) history of PD can be traced back to 1817, when the
book An Essay on the Shaking Palsy was published by James Parkinson. Great enhancement
in knowledge about the symptoms and treatment of the condition was made during the 20th
century, prior to which the condition was referred to as paralysis agitans (Sagna et al. 2014).
Some of the common signs and symptoms of the condition comprise of tremors, muscle
rigidity, and alterations in patterns of gait and speech (Sveinbjornsdottir 2016). Movement
difficulties that are found associated with PD are commonly referred to as Parkinsonism,
which in turn is characterized by progressive decrease in speed and several repetitive actions
like voluntary finger-tapping. Non-motor signs and symptoms of the condition comprise of
neuropsychiatric problems that encompass mood, behaviour, though alterations, and
cognition (Pfeiffer 2016). Some other symptoms encompass autonomic dysfunction and