It may seem futuristic, but brain stimulation with implanted electrodes is an effective treatment for some neurological issues.
During a minimally invasive brain procedure, a surgeon places the electrodes. They also implant a device in the chest that sends signals to the brain. This treatment, called deep brain stimulation, is an option for many people.
The signals disrupt brain activity related to several types of involuntary movement. It can help reduce reliance on medicines and decrease symptoms, including reducing involuntary movements.
Deep brain stimulation can treat neurological conditions, including:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Essential tremor
- Dystonia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Epilepsy
An Effective Approach: About Deep Brain Stimulation
In deep brain stimulation, a surgeon implants a thin wire called an electrode inside the brain. The wire disrupts the brain circuit that is causing the abnormal movement.
The wire connects to a small device that the surgeon implants under the skin below the collarbone. This device is a pulse generator, which creates electrical signals.
Once activated, the generator sends mild electrical pulses through the wire into the brain. These pulses modify the brain’s electrical signals, which can help control involuntary abnormal movements.
Using a remote control, they can adjust the stimulation to relieve symptoms without the risk of side effects. Research suggests that people who receive deep brain stimulation have a better quality of life, greater independence, and up to a 60% reduction in symptoms.
A recent study of people with Parkinson’s disease demonstrated that those who had deep brain stimulation also lived longer. It can also help reduce how much medicine they need daily.
At UPMC, we do deep brain stimulation in two ways: lightly sedated but awake or completely asleep.
In “awake” deep brain stimulation, we sedate the person at the beginning and end of the procedure. They are alert and awake during the brain recording and stimulation testing portion. The surgeons plan the procedure using images from an MRI scan.
In “asleep” deep brain stimulation, the person is under general anesthesia. Surgeons use a surgical imaging system that gives them real-time images of the brain to guide the procedure.
UPMC is one of only a few health care systems in the United States with extensive expertise in this type of deep brain stimulation.
Is Deep Brain Stimulation Right for You?
If you have movement-related symptoms that medicine can’t control, deep brain stimulation might help you. It can be effective for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and others.
Deep brain stimulation also is an effective treatment for chronic or severe OCD. If your OCD hasn’t responded to medicine and therapy, it may help reduce symptoms. Deep brain stimulation interrupts the parts of the brain responsible for obsessions, compulsions, or both.
Responsive neurostimulation is a form of deep brain stimulation. It may help treat seizures caused by epilepsy.
Your doctor can tell you if deep brain stimulation is an appropriate treatment option for you. Learn more about DBS at UPMC.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .