"파킨슨병, 약물 치료만으론 안 돼...수술적 치료 병행해야"
Parkinson's Disease is a neurological disorder that is mostly treated with medication, but it isn't an ideal way to treat the symptoms.
But a group of researchers in South Korea say a surgical implant that stimualtes the brain can help sufferers live a more comfortable life than medication.
Cho Sung-min reports.
Parkinson's disease is a long-term disorder that mainly causes dysfunction in the motor system.
Some of its symptoms include tremors, rigidity in the muscles, slowed movement and an inability to keep your balance while standing.
In most cases, the disorder is found among senior citizens,... and with the average age of the South Korean society continuing to rise, the number of people with Parkinson's is rising too.
The disorder occurs mainly due to a dopamine deficiency.
Experts say a lack of the hormone leads to a deterioration of motor function, and the main treatment involves medication that reinforces dopamine.
Doctors, however, say this is not a permanent solution for Parkinson's, since the body builds up a tolerance to the medicine.
"It is a long-term degenerative neural disorder, and that means it could get worse over time and medicine can lose its effect."
According to local experts, recent studies have discovered that treating Parkinson's can be much more effective with surgery.
Doctors implant a small electronic medical device inside the patient's brain.
The device sends out electrons to stimulate the nerves.
Despite recent revelations about how surgery can make treatment more effective, Korean patients are not too keen about the idea of implanting a battery-operated device inside their bodies.
Experts say the next task for doctors is to let patients know how safe the procedure is.
Cho Sung-min, Arirang News.
