Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Even though Parkinson’s cases are expected to rise globally in the coming years, new technologies offer hope to patients suffering from the disease, doctors told Aletihad.
These are among the talking points as healthcare experts wrapped up Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April.
Recent innovations such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) have completely transformed outcomes for Parkinson’s patients, said Dr. Shivam Om Mittal, Staff Physician at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
“DBS helps control symptoms with remarkable precision, letting patients walk, work, and live independently even after medications lose effectiveness,” Dr. Mittal said.
Dr. Jawad Fazal, Neurology Consultant at Burjeel Medical City, agreed that Parkinson’s treatments have now gone beyond traditional medications.
“When medication becomes less effective or causes side effects, we have alternatives like DBS surgery, continuous dopamine infusion, and devices like Pathfinder to aid mobility,” Dr. Fazal said.
In the UAE and many parts of the world, genetics has helped experts tailor more precise therapies for young-onset and familial cases, Dr. Mittal said.
“The future is bright,” he said. “Brain-sensing DBS is already a huge step forward. Soon, we’ll have closed-loop systems that automatically adjust stimulation, and AI will allow us to predict symptom changes and customise treatments even more precisely. We are heading toward a highly dynamic, truly personalised model of Parkinson’s care — and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is right at the forefront of that shift.”
All these innovations offer new hope despite projections that more people could suffer from the disease decades from now.
"Research predicts that Parkinson’s cases will more than double by 2050,” Dr. Mittal said. “People are living longer, and diagnosis is improving — but environmental and lifestyle factors might also be playing a role. Another trend that’s worrying is the increase in younger patients developing Parkinson’s."
Early Signs, Symptoms
As the world comes to terms with the disease, the experts call for greater awareness and support beyond therapies and medications.
"The key thing about Parkinson’s is awareness — it's a condition that predominantly affects people over the age of 50 or 60. Patients often notice a tremor developing, usually in one hand, although it can affect both sides,” Dr. Fazal said.
"Other signs include slower movements and changes in walking patterns, like shuffling. Sometimes, the patients themselves notice these symptoms, but often it is their family members who pick up on the changes first," he added.
Non-movement symptoms may appear early, too, Dr. Fazal said. "Parkinson’s can have a genetic component, even in younger individuals."
Lifestyle plays a crucial role in managing the disease, with regular exercise and a healthy diet among the top essentials.
"We’re very fortunate in Abu Dhabi to have access to nearly all the treatments available worldwide,” Dr. Fazal said. “Most patients are managed successfully with medications, and all the latest medications are readily available here.”
Abu Dhabi is very advanced when it comes to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, he added. “Patients here have access to a level of care that's on par with leading centres internationally.”
