Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disease that occurs with a lack of dopamine secretion. It is mostly a disease of advanced age and manifests itself as tremors in the body. It is a disease that slows down the movements of the individual and negatively affects their daily life, causing stiffness in the muscles. It causes difficulties in the person’s eating behaviors. Therefore, it significantly reduces the comfort of life.

How is Parkinson’s disease treated?

Since the root of the disease is the lack of dopamine secretion, the symptoms of the disease can often be controlled with medication. In advanced cases where drug therapy is not effective, surgical treatment may be necessary for a definitive solution. Is there a surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease; The question is often asked. Parkinson’s can be treated with a brain pacemaker.

What is deep brain stimulation?

Deep brain stimulation, also known as brain pacemaker, is an operation that is becoming more common in the medical world. With deep brain stimulation, high-frequency microelectrodes are placed in one of the two regions of the brain, giving electrical stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation or brain pacing aims to significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease in Parkinson’s disease. Brain pacemaker surgery in Parkinson’s does not slow the progression of the disease.

Will deep brain stimulation treat parkinson?

In cases where Parkinson’s disease cannot be treated with medication, surgical intervention is required. In this case, can patients and their relatives be corrected by surgical intervention in Parkinson’s disease? they can ask their questions. Deep brain stimulation regulates the missing signal caused by dopamine deficiency in Parkinson’s patients. It has been found that surgery is a safe and effective method for Parkinson’s patients. It is an important treatment method for patients who are resistant to drugs, who are affected by the side effects of drugs and who cannot use drugs.

How is deep brain stimulation applied in patients with Parkinson’s?

Deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson’s patients begins with detailed magnetic resonance imaging in the brain. On the morning of the operation, images of the brain tomography are taken with a special frame placed on the patient’s head, and magnetic resonance images are combined with this image. From this coupling, the target point is determined. The target point has space coordinates in three dimensions. Target points are found by applying local anesthesia to the patient and electrodes are placed. In the next part of the surgery, the patient is taken under general anesthesia and a battery is placed under the skin in the chest area. The surgery is completed by connecting this battery to the electrodes placed in the brain. The procedure time is 5 or 6 hours.

Who gets a Parkinson’s brain pacemaker?

First of all, drug treatment of Parkinson’s disease is prioritized. Drug therapy is effective in patients with Parkinson’s. However, in patients who are resistant to drugs and cannot be corrected with drugs, brain pacemaker can be applied to patients with Parkinson’s disease between 5 and 7 years after the onset of the disease. However, patients should not be diagnosed with a disabling psychiatric disorder for brain pacemaking. Whether the surgical operation is suitable for the patient is decided by the doctor according to the patient’s disease history and general condition.

In patients after Parkinson’s treatment;

• Involuntary behaviors such as tremors and spasms due to Parkinson’s disease are significantly reduced,
• The slowing down of movements in patients with Parkinson’s is significantly controlled after the brain pacemaker application,
• Patients continue to take their medication. In addition, the doses of the drugs are often reduced.