Parkinson's symposium honors doctor who developed deep brain stimulation treatment

GRAND RAPIDS, MI A doctor who developed deep brain stimulation treatment will be honored at the second annual Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease symposium at Van Andel Institute.

The event, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 18-19, is open to Parkinson's patients and caregivers as well as scientists. It brings together global leaders in Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disease research.

Dr. Alim Louis Benabid, a French neurologist and researcher, will receive the Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson's Disease Research. He will give a lecture at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Dr. Benabid has made an incredible contribution to the treatment of Parkinson's disease by developing deep brain stimulation," said Dr. Patrik Brundin, head of the translational Parkinson's disease laboratory at the Van Andel Institute. "Today over 140,000 advanced Parkinsons patients have undergone DBS treatment, which essentially changes the 'electric connections' in the brain, and they are able to move remarkably much better thanks to Dr. Benabid's invention."

Benabid's work is credited with helping more than 140,000 people seeking help coping with Parkinson's disease.

Benabid, the chairman of the board of the Clinatec Institute in Grenoble, France, recently received the 2013 Robert H. Pritzker Prize for Leadership from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Those interested in attending the symposium may register at grandchallengesinpd.org. Registration costs $30 for one or both days.

Sue Thoms covers health care for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at sthoms1@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

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Parkinson's symposium honors doctor who developed deep brain stimulation treatment