Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, represent one of the greatest challenges to 21st century medicine. As populations around the world age, the number of people suffering from these diseases is increasing significantly. Neurosurgery plays a key role in the management and treatment of these diseases. Here's how.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and currently there is no cure. Neurosurgery can contribute to a better understanding of this disease, and potentially to its treatment, in two main areas:
1. Brain Implant Research: Research is currently underway on brain implants that can stimulate specific regions of the brain and help alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
2. Drug Delivery to the Brain: Nanotechnology, which we discussed earlier, could help solve one of the biggest challenges in treating Alzheimer's disease - delivering drugs directly to the brain.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. The help of neurosurgery in treating this disease is now well established:
1. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): DBS is a neurosurgical operation that involves implanting a device to stimulate specific regions of the brain. DBS is currently one of the most effective treatments for advanced Parkinson's disease.
2. Improved DBS: Recent research has focused on improving DBS, for example by developing devices that can adjust stimulation in real time in response to changing patient requirements.
Summary
Neurosurgery plays a key role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and is at the forefront of many exciting innovations in the field. For both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, neurosurgery can contribute to the development of more effective therapies that will improve the quality of life for patients suffering from these difficult diseases. In the future, we can expect these and other innovations to continue and expand, helping us better manage and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
