'There will be a cure for Parkinson's one day'

"When the medicine wears off, speaking is very difficult and movement is almost impossible. So I really depend on my medication."

Sir Peter Luff, a former defence minister and MP for Mid Worcestershire, explained how Parkinson's Disease had impacted his life since he was diagnosed 10 years ago.

He has welcomed the development of a treatment that uses electrical signals to relieve symptoms of the disease.

"It looks like this could make a big difference to some people's lives," he said.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses wires to help a patient's brain communicate with their body.

Although it has been used to treat Parkinson's for more than 20 years, technological advances have made it much more effective.

Kevin Hill, a Parkinson's patient who has been using the treatment, said it felt like his disease had been "cured".

Sir Peter said it was "a big step forward" and a "fantastic breakthrough", although he was likely too old, at 69, to benefit from it.

"I probably now wouldn't qualify for this particular treatment, but others will, and I wish them every joy," he said.

"Parkinson's being a progressive disease, things do get worse with time. So how [Mr Hill] copes with it over the years will be very interesting to see.

"I don't think we should assume that it's going to transform people's lives now, but it might do. It might be the answer, or it might be part of the answer.

"This is really good news.

"Every month there seems to be a new story about something else… improving things, a new drug, a new technology.

"So I'm optimistic.

"There will be a cure for Parkinson's one day."

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