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Brain stimulation techniques to treat Parkinson’s disease are to be investigated by scientists at the University of St Andrews.

Professor Philip Winn - who was awarded a grant from the Medical Research Council for the study - said the research will seek to understand the physiological mechanisms of deep brain stimulation.

"If we can understand the physiological mechanisms of deep brain stimulation and identify specific brain targets for the different symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, it opens the possibility of being able to match treatments to individual patients’ particular profile of symptoms," he explained.

During the study, patients can turn electrodes surgically implanted in their brains on or off in order to obtain relief from symptoms.

According to scientists, the main aim of the study is to examine what happens to brain physiology when the electrodes are switched on.

Meanwhile, a recent study in the US suggested that two molecules that change the expression in the brain could be used in the treatment of the condition.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm and is filed under General.