SAN DIEGO -- There is new hope for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, 10News reported.

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Follow One Man's Journey Through Surgery

A new procedure called deep brain stimulation places two pacemakers in the chest and implants electrodes deep into the brain.

"The stimulator actually blocks the output of electrical impulses from the part of the brain," said neurologist Dr. Michael Lobatz of Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Oceanside resident Ray Fritsche has advanced Parkinson's disease and recently had the brain implant.

10News followed Fritsche before and after the surgery at Scripps Memorial.

Before the surgery, Fritsche could not control his movements. His body was literally frozen.

"The brain cells are firing all the time and that disturbs the motor area of the brain," Scripps neurosurgeon Dr. Kenneth Ott said.

Ott said that Fritsche's brain was short-circuiting

"Ray's Parkinson's -- when it's untreated -- is so bad he has difficulty turning in bed. He has difficulty cutting his food and he has difficulty dressing, bathing and grooming himself," Lobatz said.

Fritsche took medications to control the symptoms, but they eventually lost their effectiveness.

"There's no in-between anymore. The medicine has run its course," Lobatz said.

On Sept. 19, Fritsche had the brain implant surgery. It took three hours and Fritsche had to stay awake during the entire procedure.

Ott first drilled a hole in Fritsche's skull. Ott then used computers and MRI imaging to find the exact location to place the electrodes in the brain.

"Now what we're going to do is pass three micro-electrodes into the area of the target," Ott said during the operation.

Ott recorded the sounds of Fritsche's brain.

"We're going to stop that activity and you're going to improve your rigidity, slowness of movement, everything," Ott told Fritsche.

The surgery went well, but Fritsche must wait six weeks before the brain implant can be turned on.

When the day arrived, Fritsche and his family were hopeful.

Lobatz tested which electrodes would stop Fritsche's Parkinson's symptoms and turned on the implant.

And after one hour, Fritsche said he felt a dramatic difference. His rigid muscles became loose. Fritsche walked without the help of his wife or medications.

"Once I got out and started walking then I could feel the lividity, it was pretty astounding," Fritsche said.

"He's a different man than the one who walked in here," Ott said.

Ott said that it will take several more adjustments before Fritsche will see the maximum benefit of the implant.

Fritsche said that he hopes to be able to drive a car again, play golf and return to work as an engineer.

Researchers are now investigating whether the deep brain stimulator has the potential to slow Parkinson's disease.