Chandigarh: A series of discussions held by leading medical professionals on Friday have brought to light key developments in Parkinson’s disease treatment on World Parkinson’s Day.
Dr Sudesh Prabhakar, a noted city-based expert in the field, explained that Parkinson’s disease, most commonly diagnosed in individuals over 60 years of age, can also affect younger populations. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremors, rigidity, slowed movement, and issues with writing and communication. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances and depression are also prevalent, with severe constipation sometimes being one of the first signs of the disease.
Highlighting advancements in treatment, Dr Nishit Sawal emphasized the role of Liquid Carbidopa Ascorbic Acid Solution, a formulation that significantly improves the absorption of L-Dopa, the main drug for Parkinson’s. According to Dr Sawal, this liquid form is particularly beneficial in advanced stages of the disease, where the tablet form becomes less effective. Additionally, Dr. Sawal pointed out the benefits of millet-based diets, which enhance L-Dopa absorption due to fewer competing amino acids compared to traditional cereal-based diets.
Another breakthrough treatment discussed was Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS), which shows promise in alleviating symptoms like Freezing of Gait (FOG) that do not respond to medications or Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). While MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) has generated significant social media hype, experts caution that it remains an experimental method with no proven long-term benefits.
In addition to these medical advancements, Dr Ravneet Kaur shed light on the growing role of genetics in determining Parkinson’s risk.
