[Non-invasive brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Context:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with significant socio-economic impact, particularly in aging populations.
• Advanced PD often involves symptoms that are resistant to standard pharmacological and surgical treatments.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) success highlights the potential of neuromodulation for PD management.

Purpose:

• To explore non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) as a therapeutic alternative for Parkinson's disease patients.
• To investigate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for managing refractory symptoms in PD.
• To address the therapeutic gap for patients ineligible for surgery or with treatment-resistant conditions.

Summary:

• Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) offers a potential alternative to conventional therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD).
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is being investigated as a method to improve freezing of gait, a major cause of disability in PD.
• Ongoing therapeutic studies at the CHUV Department of Neurology are evaluating tDCS for PD symptom management.

Impact:

• NIBS, including tDCS, could provide new treatment options for Parkinson's disease patients with refractory symptoms.
• Improved management of freezing of gait may reduce falls and enhance the quality of life for individuals with PD.
• This research contributes to the development of accessible and potentially safer neuromodulation strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.