A durable gain in motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease following repeated caloric vestibular stimulation: A single-case study

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disorder which mainly affects the motor system of body and it is characterized by resting tremors, slowness of movements, rigidity, gait disturbances/postural instability. It is correlated with Kampa Vata [Disease associated with tremors in body] in Ayurveda, [Indian ancient science for healthy life] as it is characterized by Sarvanga Kampa / Shiro Kampa [tremors all over body or tremors in head]. It is a Vata Vyadhi [principal element of body which caused diseases] which occurs due to pathological increase of Chala Guna [Moving property] of Vata. [Principal element of body] Treatment consists of both internal and external administration of different forms aimed to reverse pathology of Vata imbalance. Here, a case of 57 years male patient presented with tremors in both hands and neck, unable to walk without support since 12 years. Patient was treated with Panchakarma therapies; like Sarvanga Abhyanga, [External oil massage] Nadi Sweda, [sudation theorapy] Shiro Abhyanga [Head massage], Shiro Pichu [Oil soaked cotton pad putting on head] and Shiro Basti [Retension of oil on head] and Shamana Aushadhis like Tab Vatachintamani Rasa, Kapikachu Beeja Choorna [Mucuna pruriens], Ashwagandha Choorna, [Withamnia somnifera] Cap Ksheerabala 101, Avipatikara Choorna for 1 month. The patient got remarkable relief in symptoms with above Panchakarma and Ayurveda medicines.

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Role of caloric vestibular stimulation in improvement of motor symptoms and inhibition of neuronal degeneration in rotenone model of Parkinson's disease – An experimental study

Physiology International ◽

10.1556/2060.2020.00036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 107 (3) ◽

pp. 390-405

Author(s):

J. Thanalakshmi ◽

R. Archana ◽

S. Senthilkumar ◽

R. Shakila ◽

N. Pazhanivel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Locomotor Activity ◽

Motor Coordination ◽

Corpus Striatum ◽

Vestibular Stimulation ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Caloric Vestibular Stimulation ◽

Dopamine Content

AbstractObjectiveParkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In order to explore a noninvasive treatment of PD, in the current study the authors evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) using the rotenone-induced rat model of PD. The rotenone models of PD are gaining attention due to high reproducibility. It is also considered to be an improved model to exhibit the pathogenesis of PD and test the neuroprotective effect of various therapeutic interventions.Materials and methodsRotenone was i.p. injected (3 mg/kg body weight) to male Wistar albino rats for 21 days to induce PD. As PD is chronic and progressive in nature, the efficacy of chronic CVS intervention was evaluated for 30 days after inducing PD in rats. Motor symptoms were evaluated by assessing locomotor activity in actophotometer, whereas movement analysis was done using Ludolph test and motor coordination was evaluated using rotarod apparatus. The neurochemical and neuropathological changes were also observed in the corpus striatum of rats.ResultsRotenone administration showed decreased locomotor activity, motor coordination and general movement associated with significant (P < 0.05) reduction in dopamine content in the corpus striatum. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed a marked decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in striatal neurons indicating the significant loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (SN) following rotenone injection. However, chronic treatment with CVS restored the nerve terminals in the striatum from rotenone damage. CVS treatment improved the dopaminergic system function by restoring dopamine content in the striatum. CVS also improved the motor deformities clearly suggesting the neuroprotective function.ConclusionThe results of the present study suggested CVS to be a safe and simple neuroprotective measure against neurodegenerative changes in PD and a promising noninvasive technique to overcome the motor symptoms associated with it. The findings could be useful for further investigations and clinical applications of CVS in the treatment of PD.

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