Date of Award
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Beulig, Alfred
Keywords
Parkinson’s Disease, Brain Stimulation, Neurology
Area of Concentration
Biological Psychology
Abstract
One of the most promising methods of alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease today is a therapy known as deep brain stimulation. This therapy is often considered the best option when patients are no longer responding well to dopaminergic medication. Deep brain stimulation is usually effective in reducing various motor symptoms, but scientists are still unsure about the fine details of the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to these benefits. Deep brain stimulation has been tested in several different brain sites, and the resulting neurobiological modifications have been compared. Scientists are still trying to understand why certain frequencies of stimulation are more effective than others at the different stimulation sites. The pathological neural oscillations associated with Parkinson’s disease are also being extensively studied, since it is believed that these harmful oscillations likely lead to some of the observed motor symptoms. These investigations are already suggesting ways in which deep brain stimulation can be improved.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Brendan, "THE MECHANISMS BY WHICH DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION ALLEVIATES PARKINSON’S DISEASE SYMPTOMS" (2014). Theses & ETDs. 4861.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4861