How deep brain stimulation can help movement disorders

7:57 AM, Oct 01, 2018
7:11 PM, May 19, 2019

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">Movement disorders such as </span></span></span></span>Parkinson's disease<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""> and </span></span>essential tremor<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""> affect millions of Americans. Unfortunately, due to the little-understood nature of the brain, neurological disorders such as these can be hard to diagnose and treat.</span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">This is why recently developed medical treatments like </span></span></span></span>deep brain stimulation<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""> (DBS) are so groundbreaking; it gives hope to patients who previously had few choices, and more is being learned about the beneficial long-term effects of DBS every day.</span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""></span></span></span></span>What is deep brain stimulation?

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">According to </span></span></span></span>Harry Tamm, MD,<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""> a neurologist with </span></span>HonorHealth Neurology<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""> in partnership with Phoenix Neurological Associates, "DBS is a surgical procedure which involves placing electrodes in the brain." The two electrodes are then attached to a device implanted in the patient's upper chest near the collar bone.</span></span>

 

</figure>

 

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""></span></span></span></span>How does it work?

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">The electrodes use electrical currents similar to those generated by a pacemaker to help control abnormal brain impulses. The better controlled the abnormalities are, the fewer uncontrolled physical movements a patient should experience.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">"If changes need to be made to the electrodes' output, your doctor can reprogram the electrodes without the need of further surgery," Dr. Tamm said. "Once the leads are properly inserted the patient could see a reduction in tremors, though it will vary depending on the disease being treated."</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">Doctors will perform a full work up and neurological testing before suggesting the procedure.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">"Right now, it's considered an additional treatment beyond medication for certain people with involuntary movement disorders," Dr. Tamm said. "It doesn't replace traditional medical treatment but should be used in conjunction with other therapies."</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""></span></span></span></span>Early diagnosis of movement disorders is key

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">DBS works best if you’re experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of movement disorders, and that is why it's important to notice and report possible symptoms to your doctor as soon as you notice them.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">Learn more about movement disorders and deep brain stimulation on HonorHealth’s website.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Record and watch live TV, subscription-free with Tablo

Record and watch live TV, subscription-free with Tablo