Seeing the future for Parkinson's patients

by John Nuttt, guest opinion
Friday June 05, 2009, 1:00 PM

The recent news that former Portland Trail Blazer Brian Grant suffers from Parkinson's disease caught many of us off guard. It was the same kind of shock we experienced upon learning that actor Michael J. Fox and former Attorney General Janet Reno also suffer from the disease.

Why were we so surprised? For one reason, Parkinson's, like Lou Gehrig's disease and Alzheimer's, is considered a disease of aging, and in a way this is true. Parkinson's typically strikes those older than 60. But as illustrated by Brian Grant, the young are not spared.

Another reason we were so shocked by Grant's diagnosis is the fact that he is in top physical condition. In many minds -- and in fact in many instances -- physical fitness can lead to a certain level of immunity against many diseases, including Parkinson's. Perhaps we all felt a little more susceptible upon learning of the former Blazer star's affliction.

It's unfortunate that it takes stories such as these to remind us how much we have to learn about Parkinson's disease. We don't know the cause of the vast majority of cases and there is no cure. However, it's also a good opportunity to take stock of how far we have come. Because of generous donors and the federal government's commitment to research, we have greatly expanded the list of available treatments within a relatively short amount of time.

We can now treat some of the most severe Parkinson's symptoms. For instance, Dr. Kim Burchiel of Oregon Health & Science University was the first neurosurgeon in the nation to offer deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's -- a pioneering surgical approach in which tiny electrodes are implanted in the brain to diminish the tremor and slowness associated with the disease. In addition, OHSU researcher Fay Horak is hoping to provide patients relief with an exercise program targeting Parkinson's disease to delay onset of associated problems with walking and balance.

So what does the future hold? While it is true that a cure is currently not in sight, medical research is beginning to suggest methods to delay the progression of the disease. In fact, these advancements might help us redefine the word "cure." Perhaps our best approach for Parkinson's is to delay the onset of symptoms to a period so late in life that many who are diagnosed will never feel the full impacts. In other words, let's delay the symptoms of Parkinson's past a person's life expectancy. In a way, might this be considered a cure?

As physicians and researchers at the OHSU Parkinson Center of Oregon, we hope to one day tell all our patients that a Parkinson's diagnosis is a minor nuisance that can be controlled. But there is much work to be done to make this goal a reality We all need to support more research for Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases that affect both young and old.

Together, let's improve the outlook for Brian Grant and so many other patients.

John Nutt is a physician and director of the Parkinson Center of Oregon at OHSU.