PARKINSONS

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- For the more than 1.5 million American's diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the devastating symptoms greatly change their lives.


Two Bay Area doctors used a little known treatment to help a local man achieve relief from his symptoms.

Life for Pierre Cooley changed drastically with his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease 15-years-ago. At one point his shaking and other symptoms got so bad he feared for his safety while traveling. I was falling down in Australia. I would just go boom on street corners. It was embarrassing too."

He says that changed when he had a deep brain stimulator implanted in his brain.

Dr. David McKalip explains, During deep brain stimulation we placed an electrode into a small spot into the brain that will turn off their symptoms. We watch their symptoms go away during surgery and then we hook them up to a generator later on so it can turn off their symptoms after surgery."

Dr. McKalip's partner, Dr. Pappas, demonstrates how the stimulator works. Using a computer and a device in Mr. Cooley's chest that is much like a pacemaker, she can turn Mr. Cooley's brain electrodes on or off and adjust the voltage.

Almost immediately you could see Mr. Cooley's tremors begin again. Once the stimulator is turned on again, Doctor Pappas says, Pretty much right away the tremor got better.

Mr. Cooley realizes he'll never have his full life back but says this stimulator has helped him become more active. It made it possible for me to take less medication."

For more information contact:

Dr. David McKalip
Dr. Carol Pappas
1201 5th avenue Suite 210
St Petersburg, Florida
727-822-3500
Www.mckalip.yourmd.com

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• PARKINSONS

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