Addressing Parkinson's Disease Surgically through Pallidotomy
Dr. Badih Adada is a board-certified Florida neurosurgeon who treats diverse conditions of the brain. Among the patients Dr. Badih Adada offers surgical intervention options to are those living with Parkinson's disease. A progressive disorder, Parkinson's disease involves nerve cells being lost within the substantia nigra. This small area is situated within the brainstem and controls motor activity. In Parkinson’s disease, the functioning of the substantia nigra diminishes due to overactivity in another part of the brain, the globus pallidus. Part of the basal ganglia, the globus pallidus is responsible for controlling voluntary movements. While damage to the globus pallidus may lead to a loss of motor control, its deliberate, localized removal can ease involuntary muscle tremors associated with the substantia nigra. The pallidotomy procedure involves the surgeon eliminating a small portion of the globus pallidus, which in turn decreases unwanted motor activity. The surgery thus addresses movement-related symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including stiffness and tremors.
