Sustained Federal Funding Produces Parkinson's Breakthrough

The problem: For millions of patients with Parkinson's disease, existing treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation offer only temporary relief. Once the stimulation stops, tremors and stiffness often return immediately. The lack of precision in current methods means relief is often short-lived, leaving patients dependent on constant stimulation or failing medication. 

The solution: For over a decade, National Science Foundation-funded research at Carnegie Mellon University has focused on unraveling the brain's movement circuits. Neuroscientist Aryn Gittis discovered that achieving long-lasting relief requires carefully targeting two specific populations of neurons in opposite ways. This led to a new protocol called "burst stimulation" that uses shaped electrical patterns to achieve this precision. 

This medical breakthrough is the direct result of years of NSF-supported research into the basic mechanisms of the brain. It is an example of how sustained funding can achieve truly transformative medical solutions. 

The impact: The burst stimulation protocol is now moving into patient clinical trials at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. This breakthrough has the potential to move beyond merely masking symptoms. Early tests suggest it may actually help restore the brain to a healthier state, leading to longer-lasting relief for patients whose symptoms no longer respond to medication. 

Go deeper: The Long Game: Years of CMU Discoveries Drive New Parkinson's Treatment