Parkinson's Disease

MeRT: A Revolutionary Treatment That Can Help Manage Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurological disease. Dr. Mbeo has brought a technology called MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) to Orlando and surrounding areas. MeRT can help to improve symptoms and delay the progression of Parkinson’s. **

If you or someone you love has Parkinson’s, you are likely familiar with the symptoms that occur. They can be mild at first, but as the disease progresses, so do symptoms. We understand that you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused, whether it be you or a family member who has been diagnosed. You may also already be aware of some treatments that can help manage the disease, such as medications or Deep Brain Stimulation. But did you know that there is another treatment that can help you that is non-invasive and drug-free? It’s called MeRT and we have seen some good results with our Parkinson’s disease patients. **

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. It affects the neurological system because it causes some neurons in the brain to break down and eventually die. However, the disease symptoms can be managed. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

The most prominent signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease occur when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement become impaired and/or die. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce an important brain chemical known as dopamine. When the neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, which causes the movement problems associated with the disease. Scientists still do not know what causes the neurons to die.”

We are thrilled to offer a revolutionary treatment that can help treat Parkinson’s symptoms and possibly delay the progression of the disease!

**Most conditions treated with MeRT provide noticeable and long-lasting results after six to eight weeks of treatment; however, each patient is different, and results may vary.

The Brain Treatment Center in Orlando, Florida Can Help!

Call us: 407-730-4240

Or Fill in the Form Below and Our New Patient Coordinator Will Contact You at Your Convenience.

MeRT and Parkinson’s Disease: How We Can Help

MeRT is both non-invasive and drug-free, however, it can be used as an adjunct treatment with the medications that you are taking and other therapies that you might be going through. It is a gentle therapy that uses a magnet that will improve the connectivity of neurons in the brain. Every single person’s brain is as unique to them as their fingerprints. Because of this, we customize treatment specifically for your brain. We are able to do this by combining two different methodologies to determine your customized treatment protocol. First, we use a qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram) which shows us the dysregulation occurring in your brain.

We then use the data from this test to come up with a treatment protocol exactly for you which utilizes the technology of TMS. Studies have shown that TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, has been used to help treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms with some success. However, TMS is more of a “one-size-fits-all” approach and is used on every person with the exact same hertz and frequency.

Why MeRT is a Better Choice

With standard TMS, this isn’t always successful, because your brain is unique to you, and you may need to be treated with a different hertz and frequency that may be different than another patient who has Parkinson’s. We use the qEEG as a guide based on your brain waves, frequencies, and hertz. The qEEG is a form of brain mapping that will show us exactly how your brain waves are operating. You can rest assured that your treatment protocol is entirely customized for YOU.

DBS, or Deep Brain Stimulation, is a treatment modality that is used to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease, but this is a surgical procedure involving your brain, so it is not without risk. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, some of the risks include:

a small risk of infection
stroke
bleeding
seizure
small risk for cognitive decline

MeRT is non-invasive so there are NO surgical risks. Mert has other benefits too. Parkinson’s treatment often happens along with other treatment techniques, such as medications, mental health therapy, and more. One of the biggest benefits of MeRT is that it can simultaneously treat mental health conditions that may affect Parkinson’s patients, such as depression and anxiety. The reason for this is that the qEEG identifies ALL dysregulation and communication problems within the brain. Your treatment protocols would also include these types of conditions too.

Benefits of MeRT Treatment for Parkinson’s

We have had patients report the following benefits from MeRT:

Less depression/overall better mood
Better sleep at night
Improved cognition
Reduced tremors
More energy during the day
Improved Sleep
Increased Relaxation
Decreased pain
Improved ability to cope with stress
More Motivation
Improved emotional stability
Improved self-confidence and self-esteem

I recently had an appointment with Dr. Mbeo. The office space is very clean and well maintained with support staff who are polite and professional. Dr. Mbeo provided a complete and accurate assessment of my symptoms. I really felt like he listened to everything I had to say and also took time to explain things I didn’t understand. I am so happy that I found a doctor that will investigate the issues I am having.” – Charity, patient at BrainCare Orlando

Causes and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists don’t know exactly what causes a person to get Parkinson’s Disease. It is a neurological condition. The most common signs and symptoms happen when the cells in the basal ganglia (the area of the brain that affects movement) either become damaged or die. Neurons in this area normally produce a hormone called dopamine, which is also referred to as the “feel good” hormone. The lowered amounts of dopamine cause movement problems associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease symptoms can vary. This is based on how long you’ve had the disease and how much the disease has progressed.

Tremors. This is the most common symptom and tremors usually start in the hands but can progress to the arms and legs, even when the body is at rest.
Rigid muscles limit movement at any given area of the body and can cause pain.
Difficult and slower movement overall which makes tasks such as walking, getting out of a chair, etc., much harder. Walking can become disjointed.
Issues with balance.
Stooped posture.
Movements such as blinking or smiling decrease.
Depression and Anxiety. (Almost 50% of Parkinson’s patients experience these conditions). MeRT can help with conditions too.
Circadian rhythm disruptions; you may find that you have insomnia at night and begin to sleep more during the day.
Incontinence or difficulty urinating.
Overall fatigue.
Fluctuations in blood pressure with movement. For example, your blood pressure can experience a sudden drop when going from sitting to standing.
Generalized or specific pain in the body.
Cognitive problems are possible such as dementia and/or hallucinations. Lewy Body Dementia is associated with Parkinson’s. If this occurs, it usually happens in the later stages of the disease, and not everyone who has Parkinson’s will develop Lewy Body Dementia.

The BrainCare Performance Center in Orlando, Florida Can Help!

Call us: 407-730-4240

Or Fill in the Form Below and Our New Patient Coordinator Will Contact You at Your Convenience.

MeRT Treatment for Parkison’s Disease: What to Expect

At our clinic in Orlando, MeRT can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease. MeRT is a gentle form of neuromodulation. It is non-invasive, painless, and drug-free. Simply stated, MeRT uses a magnet that pulses gentle waves of electricity via the scalp to bring the neural pathways back into alignment. Please note that MeRT treatment is GENTLE. Treatment is painless; some describe it as feeling like they are getting a gentle brain massage. No sedation is required, and you can drive and resume your day after attending your treatment sessions.

If you are interested in coming in for an evaluation, we then set up two separate appointments. Each of these appointments will last 45 minutes to an hour. After this, we have a two-week assessment period where the treatment and monitoring take place.

qEEG Testing

On your first appointment, we perform the qEEG and ECG/EKG. These tests are simple and painless and done right in our office. For the EEG, we place a cap on your head to measure the electrical activity in your brain. This will map out any areas which are not performing as they should. Additionally, in the EKG, we attach electrodes to your chest to record your heart’s electrical signals and the brain/heart coherence. Once we perform the test, our team of physicians and neuroscients will carefully analyze the results. Based on this analysis, we develop a treatment protocol that is customized to your specific condition.

Consultation

Your second appointment, after your qEEG/EKG, is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mbeo. You can do this either in person or virtually from the comfort of your home. Dr. Mbeo will discuss your results, and let you know if he thinks MeRT can benefit you. If so, you can decide if you want to start treatment. Every single patient with Parkinson’s is different, so we understand that you may have a lot of questions. Dr. Mbeo We will answer any questions you may have, and let you know more about what to expect during your assessment period so that you are at ease in moving forward with treatment.

Assessment Period of Treatment

In this step, we will perform a two-week period of treatment, followed by a new EEG to see how you’re responding to the treatment. We determine progress based on the new EEG results compared to the initial, and we look at symptom improvements. If there is a positive response to treatment during the assessment period, you will have likely noticed some improvements starting to take place. For patients with Parkinson’s, it may take a longer period than two weeks to notice improvements in symptoms.

We will schedule additional MeRT treatment in two-week intervals. At the end of every two weeks, we will perform a qEEG/EKG to monitor your progress; you will have a consultation to confirm that changes are still showing on the qEEG testing. Most conditions treated with MeRT provide noticeable and long-lasting results after six to eight weeks of treatment; however, each patient is different, and results may vary.

What to Expect When Going Through Treatment

Treatment sessions last from 30-40 minutes and are performed every day, Monday through Friday for the duration of your treatment. You can expect to sit in a comfortable chair while the neurotechnician holds the magnet against your scalp. The brain is pulsed around 8 seconds of every minute that you are in the chair. You can bring an iPad or a book to read while you are undergoing treatment. During the time period that the magnet pulses, you will need to keep your eyes closed during that short period.

After your treatment session, you may develop a headache and feel some fatigue. These side effects usually dissipate as your brain adjusts to the treatment. We suggest planning to eat a snack after your session and Ibuprofen or Tylenol can be used if you develop a headache.

About Dr. Mbeo – Our Founder and Medical Director

Gilbert Mbeo, MD is a triple board-certified physician who specializes in Neurology, NeuroIntensive Care, and Interventional Pain Management, with over 13 years of experience providing evidence-based, high-quality care to patients with acute neurological needs including acute stroke, neuromuscular respiratory failure, status epilepticus, and brain and spinal cord trauma.

After learning about the brain healing effects of neuromodulation Dr. Mbeo established the Brain Treatment Center Orlando in order to use interventions like cognitive rehabilitation, Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MeRT), and transcranial magnetic stimulation as non-invasive treatment options for an array of neurological conditions.

Dr. Mbeo is passionate about providing the best possible healthcare to all of his patients and his bedside manner is informative and delightful! All of us at the clinic strive to provide you with the best possible care in a warm, safe, and compassionate environment!

Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for More Information

We understand that what you are going through can feel depressing, frustrating, and isolating.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain costs, and put your mind at ease. She can also assist you in getting scheduled should you decide to move forward with treatment.

We understand what you may be going through, and our goal is to help guide you through the process with ease.

We are Here to Help.