Parkinson's Disease

Research

The Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center at UCSF performs ongoing research to improve and develop new treatment for patients with Parkinson's, as well as find a cure for the disease. The center is active in a number of research projects to help further our understanding of this disorder and evaluate new treatments.

Our research, for example, involves studying early Parkinson's disease to find potential protective therapies that may slow the progression of the illness. For patients with moderate to advanced Parkinson's, we're studying the benefits of gene therapy and deep brain stimulator therapy, which involves a brain implant device to help control shaking. The stimulator transits electric impulses through a wire to tiny electrodes. Instead of destroying the overactive cells that cause symptoms of Parkinson's, the stimulator temporarily disables them by sending out pulses of electricity. This therapy has been shown to provide greater relief of symptoms with fewer side effects than other treatments.

For more information on our current clinical trials and research projects, please contact the Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center at (415) 476-9276 or visit its Web site.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007