Murdoch University research discovers potential breakthrough treatment to minimise Parkinson’s tremors

Perth researchers may have discovered a breakthrough in treating Parkinson’s disease, using a non-invasive tool to stimulate areas of the brain which in turn could lead to a decrease in debilitative tremors. Parkinson’s causes deterioration in the brain’s nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. While dopamine medications are considered the gold class treatment for the disease’s motor symptoms they have limited effect in reducing tremor. A lack of a cure prompted Murdoch University researchers to test two types of electromagnetic stimulation on WA patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s. The non-invasive treatment of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation worked by placing an electromagnetic tool on top of the patient’s head, which would create small electric currents to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. The primary motor cortex was targeted during the treatment as this is the part of the brain, which is in charge of smooth and controlled movements. Results revealed the brain stimulation technique increased activity in the primary motor cortex for Parkinson’s patients, which could potentially lead to a decrease in tremors. Murdoch University associate professor Ann-Maree Vallence said the treatment had the potential to reduce tremors, in turn improving Parkinson’s sufferers’ quality of life. “We were able to increase the activity of the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson’s disease in the short term,” she said. “We know that people with Parkinson’s disease have the reduced neuroplasticity in their motor cortex so for us to be able to show that these non-invasive, safe, painless techniques can be applied in such a way to induce neuroplasticity it’s really promising.” Murdoch University research lead Jane Tan said she hoped a further study could prove the treatment can improve tremors. “This is the first time we’ve put them [the two electromagnetic stimulations] together to try and get that greater benefit, specifically targeting the tremor symptom,” she said. “A lot of people with Parkinson’s will take dopamine medication but these medications aren’t that effective in reducing tremor, so we really need new treatments. “That’s why we are testing these brain stimulation protocols in the hope to be able to treat tremor down the track.” The researchers are now planning to apply the stimulation daily for four weeks on patients to see if it will lead to lasting increases in brain activity and reductions in the severity of tremors.