Doctors say a new technology could improve the lives of patients suffering from Parkinson's.
The new technology can accurately track a patient's brain activity and deliver the electrical stimulation needed to stop involuntary movements and tremors in real time.
Eric van Breda from Rotterdam is among the first Parkinson's patients to try the new stimulation device placed inside the brain.
"It started with difficulty typing on the computer, and since my wife is a neurologist, we soon discovered it was Parkinson's disease. I went to a neurologist, had a scan, and got the diagnosis within two weeks. Then my whole life fell apart," says Van Breda.
Parkinson's disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain. These cells produce dopamine, which acts as a messenger between the brain and the nervous system, helping to control and coordinate body movements.
As the cells die, patients become increasingly unable to control their movements. In addition to tremors and balance problems, patients may also experience nerve pain, dizziness, and trouble swallowing.
In total, there are 108 patients who are part of a pilot program, who have already had a device implanted in their brains with another version of the deep brain stimulation program.
The technology has been around for three decades.
