Medical advancements improve Parkinson's diagnosis and treatment

Researchers have announced two significant advancements in the management and diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

A team from the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), the University of Seville, and the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío has developed an artificial intelligence model to improve differential diagnosis. By analyzing advanced brain images obtained through dopamine transporter SPECT, the AI helps distinguish Parkinson's disease from atypical parkinsonisms by identifying specific patterns of cerebral degeneration.

In a separate development, a study involving the HM CINAC Integral Neuroscience Center has validated the efficacy of MRI-guided focused ultrasound for treating motor complications in Parkinson's patients. The procedure, known as pallidothalamic tractotomy, offers a non-surgical alternative to traditional neurosurgery. In a study of 54 patients, the technique resulted in a 53 percent improvement in motor function of the treated limbs and a significant reduction in dyskinesia and ‘off’ periods, where medication loses effectiveness.