Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements. Though there’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but Dr. Lloyd Zucker has been a pioneer in payving the way for the new FDA approved treatment.

What Area of the Brain Is Treated

There are two main FDA-approved targets for Parkinson’s under Insightec’s Exablate Neuro system:

1. Ventral Intermediate Nucleus (VIM) of the Thalamus

• Used for tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (TDPD).

• Targets the part of the brain that controls tremor.

• Treats unilateral tremor (one side), typically the side most affected.

• FDA PMA: P150038/S006.

2. Pallidothalamic Tract (PTT)

• Used for advanced idiopathic Parkinson’s disease with medication-refractory motor complications such as dyskinesia or fluctuations.

• This is the staged, bilateral procedure — meaning:

  • The first side is treated.

  • After at least 6 months, the other side can be treated.

• FDA PMA: P150038/S037 (approved 2023–2024).

This bilateral pallidothalamic tractotomy represents the latest and most advanced form of focused ultrasound for Parkinson’s — the one Dr. Lloyd Zucker was instrumental in bringing to approval. 

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements like tremor, shaking, and muscle stiffness. It’s a progressive condition and symptoms worsen over time, causing problems with balance, walking, and talking.

Parkinson’s disease occurs when the area of the brain that controls movement — substantia nigra — becomes impaired or dies. The nerve cells in this area of the brain produce a chemical called dopamine that controls motor movement. 

When this part of your brain fails to produce enough dopamine, your body has a harder time controlling movements. 

Parkinson’s disease also affects the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, which is a chemical that controls your heart rate and blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease symptoms develop gradually and may go unnoticed during the early stages of the disease. There are four main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:

• Tremor in the hands, arms, legs, or head
• Muscle stiffness
• Slowed movement
• Poor balance and coordination

These symptoms usually start on one side of the body or in one limb. Over time, the symptoms affect both sides of the body but remain more severe on one side.

People with Parkinson’s disease also have non-movement-related symptoms like depression, urinary problems, and constipation. 

What are the treatments for Parkinson’s disease?

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease focuses on controlling symptoms. These treatments include:

Medication

Medications for Parkinson’s disease increase dopamine levels in the brain by stimulating the production or decreasing the breakdown of the brain chemical. The team may also prescribe medications to help reduce involuntary movement and muscle stiffness.

Deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease who no longer respond to medications. For this treatment, your neurosurgeon places electrodes into your brain that connect to a device in the chest. 

The device sends painless electrical pulses to the brain to control motor movement.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

HIFU is a noninvasive alternative to deep brain stimulation. For this treatment, the neurosurgeons use ultrasound energy to create a lesion in the part of the brain causing the abnormal movement. The Brain and Spine Center of South Florida is one of only a few providers that offer HIFU for Parkinson’s disease. The latest FDA approval is for bilateral pallidothalamic tractotomy represents the latest and most advanced form of focused ultrasound for Parkinson’s. 

To learn more about treatment options for Parkinson’s disease, call the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida or schedule an appointment with Dr. Zucker today.