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New implant to control Parkinson’s symptoms

If you know someone with Parkinson’s, you know how debilitating the disease can be. As part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Dr. Brian Kopell, a nationally renowned neurosurgeon, shares how he’s helping to pioneer the use of an implant to control Parkinson’s symptoms.

The new implant works deep inside the brain in the way a pacemaker works in the heart, blocking the signals that cause involuntary movements. Since Parkinson’s is a progressive and long-term condition, slowly — over time — existing medications become less effective, which is why this new therapy is providing hope for many patients and their families.

Here’s more:

Did you know that 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year, and while the incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, about 4 percent (like actor Michael J. Fox) are diagnosed before the age of 50.

To learn more, visit www.abbott.com.

SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY ABBOTT