PD is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that directs and controls movement. In PD, these dopamine-producing nerve cells break down, causing dopamine levels to drop and brain signals that direct movement to become abnormal. The cause of the disease is unknown.
In the Western world, there are currently 4 million PD sufferers, with the number expected to increase by 10% by 2010, due to the general aging of the population. In over 85% of cases, it occurs in people over the age of 65, affecting approximately 1% of them. Annual treatment costs are estimated at $18,000 per person. It is estimated that PD costs the United States over $26 billion annually in disability costs and lost productivity.
Drug Treatment Options
Current drug treatment options for PD patients focus on treating the disease’s symptoms and are basedon dopamine replacement or prevention of dopamine breakdown (primarily Levodopa). With prolonged use, these drugs have serious negative side effects. Prescription drugs to treat PD currently generate sales of over $1 billion and the market is expected to grow to approximately $2.3 billion by 2010, driven by the increase in size of the elderly population and the introduction of new PD therapies that carry higher price tags.
Deep Brain Stimulation
An alternative approach to drug therapy, which has attracted widespread attention is deep brain stimulation (DBS), a relatively new surgical treatment introduced by Medtronics. FDA-approved DBS is a patient-controlled treatment for tremors consisting of a multi-electrode lead implanted into the brain. The lead is connected to a pulse generator that is surgically implanted under the skin in the upper chest. DBS suppresses tremor by delivering mild electrical stimulation to block brain signals that cause the uncontrollable shaking. It is turned on or off by the patient swiping a special magnet over the generator. Typically the cost for treatment is up to $50,000.
Overview
