Tyler Morning Telegraph

— Staff Photo By Tom Turner BRAIN TECHNIQUE: Dr. George Plotkin, neurologist and Movement Disorder Center director for East Texas Medical Center’s Neurological Institute, holds a model of a human brain during an interview Wednesday.

By LAUREN KEATON
Staff Writer

A Parkinson's disease patient said Wednesday that a brain stimulation procedure he underwent in Tyler "has given me back my life."

The patient and physicians at the ETMC Neurological Institute talked about what is being hailed as a breakthrough in the treatment of the neurological disorder.

The treatment uses two implanted devices, similar to cardiac pacemakers, to electrically stimulate each side of the brain, blocking signals that cause the disabling motor symptoms of the disease.

As a result, many patients achieve greater control over their body movements and experience less shaking.

"It is the greatest thing since sliced bread," said Terry Bowers, a 51-year-old Tehuacana resident who underwent the operation in December. "(Deep brain stimulation) is the greatest kept secret of Parkinsonism."

Harvard-trained neurologist Dr. George Plotkin brought the method to East Texas Medical Center in 2002.

"(This) is a major breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson's disease," Plotkin said. "Up to this point, patients relied on medications that over time may not control their symptoms and produce significant side effects."

— Staff Photo By Tom Turner ‘GREATEST KEPT SECRET’: Terry Bowers (right), 51, shown with Dr. George Plotkin, says that the deep brain stimulation procedure has given him back his life.

Bowers has suffered from the disease since he was 40.

"He was miserable before," said Helen Cassel, R.N. "(He was) crawling along the floor ... but look at him now."

After undergoing the procedure, Bowers said, his quality of life has greatly improved.

"It has given me back my life," he said. "I live just outside of Waco and I came to Tyler to have this done. I am so glad I did."

The procedure is performed while the patient is fully conscious, hospital officials said.

Dr. Mark Renfro, with the ETMC Neurological Institute, performed the surgery.

"We implanted two thin wires called 'leads' into the brain," Renfro said. "Then, (we) connected the leads down into the neck and upper chest to a neurostimulator. This device is implanted beneath the skin in the chest and produces electrical pulses that are delivered to the brain."

The hospital performed its 100th deep brain stimulation procedure this month, officials said.

Doctors and researchers are looking at other applications of brain stimulation.

"Advances are coming," Plotkin said. "(In other parts of the world) they are using this same technique to treat (other diseases such as) depression."

Research shows Parkinson's disease afflicts an estimated 1 million Americans. The average age of onset is 60.

Assistant Managing Editor Danny Mogle contributed to this story.

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