Treating medical issues with deep brain stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is being used to treat epilepsy but also Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors, conditions that cause dystonia such as Meige syndrome, Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dr. Jonathon Parker of Mayo Clinic Arizona joined us to discuss how DBS works.

DBS is a medical procedure where electrodes are placed in certain target areas of the brain and connected by insulated wires to a pacemaker-like device. These wires are completely under the skin, so there’s no risk of the device being pulled out.

What is DBS?

“This has been around for a while, but advances made it more safe and effective. Inovling two thin wires and battery in the chest. its rechargeable. working with the team, we do different parameters to treat the different conditions,” said Dr. Jonathon Parker.

Dr. Jonathon Parker described the process that happens during DBS. It starts with a thin wire that leads into the brain. That connection is underneath the skin, down the side of the neck, and the battery in the chest.

“This is a specific version to treat epilepsy. We stimulate the surface of the brain. Sometimes a deeper location,” said Dr. Jonathon Parker.

In the state alone, there are 20,000 people with parkinsons disease. When it’s advanced and doesn’t respond to medication, deep brain stimulation is an option.