The centers will conduct research concentrating on specific problems of Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. Research will also include other basic biomedical, clinical and health services studies. Each new center also will be a participating site in a VA Cooperative Studies multicenter clinical trial of deep-brain stimulation, involving surgical implantation of tiny electrodes through which the patient can control activity in the area of the brain involved in Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's centers will develop education and training programs for patients, families, students and health care professionals. Additionally, each site will conduct a clinical care demonstration program for evaluating new models of care delivery for veterans with Parkinson's disease and movement disorders.
Plans call for information to be shared electronically.
The agreement calls for the two organizations to work together to develop research and treatment symposiums, publicize information on Parkinson's disease and provide continuing education for VA physicians who treat Parkinson's patients. Research Initiatives VA is in the vanguard of neurodegenerative disease research with innovative and aggressive research strategies in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses. New research in Parkinson's disease is focused on two important areas, development of surgical treatments for late-stage patients for whom medical therapy is no longer effective, and development of new medications, which are more effective and have fewer side effects. VA researchers are conducting groundbreaking studies in both areas. If you have specific questions on benefits, etc.