What is deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's Disease?

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical technique to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement and difficulty in walking. The procedure is performed on those who have not benefited from medications.

The deep brain stimulation system has three components:

• The lead, also known as an electrode that is inserted inside the skull through a small opening and is implanted in the targeted area of the brain.
• The extension is a wire that connects the lead to the neurostimulator. It is passed under the skin of the head, neck and shoulder.
• The neurostimulator is implanted under the skin of the collarbone. Other places where it is implanted are lower chest and under the skin over the abdomen.

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What is the procedure of deep brain stimulation

•  A  medical device known as neurostimulator is used. The device is battery operated and is similar to a pacemaker. The size of the stimulator is similar to that of a stopwatch.
•   The device is implanted in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas that control movement and blocks the abnormal nerve signals that cause Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
•  MRI and CT Scans are performed to locate the exact place in the brain from where the electric nerve signals generate the PD symptoms.
•  Microelectrode recordings are also used by some surgeons to identify with precision the targeted location in the brain that has to be stimulated.
•  Generally there are three common target locations in the brain:
•  Thalamus
•   Subthalmic nucleus
•   A portion of the Globus Pallidus
• After the implant is placed, electrical impulses are sent from the neurostimulator through the extension wire, into the brain that blocks the abnormal electrical signals of the brain.

Reference: Nitish Chitkara