"New" Cuban stereotaxic surgery...what about it?

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Below please note this fragment of a much longer article my friends keep sending me. ( I found a more complete but poorly translated version at eco-blog.com.ar/health-and-...

I spent some time on google trying to nail this down and found very little.

Is there anything to this? Is it new?

Does it involve destruction of brain tissue (like Pallidotomy and Thalamotomy, which I understand are considered inferior to DBS)?

Doesn't it involve implantation of embryonic stem cells, and if so, isn't that still, ah, in the experimental stage?

Is it tested properly?

Who is it intended for?

Any thoughts on this, comrades?

In Cuba, Parkinson Disease has been Defeated.

May 4th, 2011 medicaltourismmag.com/blog/...

Cuban investigators have developed a technique to implant live nerve cells deep into the brain that cures Parkinson‘s disease. Doctor Julián Alvarez Blanco, Director of the International Center for Neurological Restoration (CIREN), explained that this achievement in Cuban medicine was made due to development of a cutting-edge surgical procedure called stereotaxic surgery (or minimal access surgery), together with the newest techniques of computerized brain mapping and superficial and deep registers of the brain’s electrical activity.

“This technique allows us to precisely implant the generative cells in the affected areas, by means of a cannula with a very small diameter, and with minimum risk for the patient’s life”, said Dr. Alvarez. “Namely, very precise paths have been settled to reach deep brain structures”. We are very proud to be one of the most advanced centers of the world in the neuroscience field”, said the Cuban specialist.

CIREN also gives hope to those who have suffered damage and death of brain cells, which have caused aphasias (difficulties in expression and understanding) due to encephalic accidents, thrombosis, craneoencephalic trauma and hemiplegies. Patients treated at CIREN recover many of the lost functions when they are treated with new neurorestorative methods.

PLP

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[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

My neuro said "Stem cell transplant treatments are not proven. There are a number of places throughout the world that claim benefit without careful followup of their patients. They typically charge $25,000 for an unproven treatment. Stay away from it."

A PD researcher just told me "implantation of stem cells and neurons is still considered experimental by the vast majority of medical professionals and scientists"

NObody has yet commented on the rest of the article.

The good news is I passed my drivers' test. Bad news is I still have to wait un undetermined time t get my license back.

[tlongmire in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Good for you! :-).

[shetawk in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

If the body is stricken with PD, wouldn't the implanted cells face the same fate as the original ones?

[grammieof3]

Congrates on drivers test going to a pd meeting today ill ask if anyone knows

[Hikoi]

The article doesnt explain enough but it isounds like DBS or gene therapy to me.

people.virginia.edu/~rf3y/E...