'Pacemaker' Parkinson's Treatment Available
Doctors Say Dangerous Procedure Surpassed
A new treatment that uses a pacemaker-like device to control Parkinson's disease has surpassed a controversial treatment that uses brain tissue from aborted fetuses.
The older treatment, which was featured on ABC's "Gideon's Crossing" Monday night, attempts to use the cells to replace damaged brain cells in patients. It has not been practiced in the Oklahoma City area for several years.
Dr. Paul Francel (pictured, right), of University Hospital said that the new treatment option allows surgeons to use a pacemaker that can be programmed from a laptop computer to get better results.
"We've actually built onto (the fetal-tissue) operation," he said, and found options that are less dangerous.
He said that the most promising new treatment for Parkinson's sufferers uses genetically engineered cells that could be created to give patients control over their bodies.
Learn More About Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Paul Francel (pictured, right), of University Hospital said that the new treatment option allows surgeons to use a pacemaker that can be programmed from a laptop computer to get better results.
"We've actually built onto (the fetal-tissue) operation," he said, and found options that are less dangerous.
He said that the most promising new treatment for Parkinson's sufferers uses genetically engineered cells that could be created to give patients control over their bodies.
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