New Parkinson's Disease Treatment: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
As you may know, Parkinson's disease is often difficult to diagnosis correctly, and even more difficult to treat properly. One of the most recent treatment procedures for Parkinson's disease is a surgical course of action that implants a small, metal electrode into the patient's brain. The electrode is then attached to a computerized pulse generator. This pulse generator is very similar to a heart pacemaker. The treatment is called Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS.
DBS is one of the more promising treatment options for long-term management of the most severe symptoms of Parkinson's.
A recent study of more than 70 people who had been treated with the DBS mechanism showed that the patient's overall quality of life was improved and maintained during a two year period (the study lasted two years). This improvement in quality of life was attributed to improved body function of the patients, particularly those functions affected by bradykinesia.
Researchers also discovered that the patients who participated with the study were, on average, taking lower dosage levels of medication. Some had been able to stop all medication treatment. It was also realized that many of the patients showed considerable improvement in the areas of tremors, balance, rigidity, and overall control.
The premise behind DBS is that the stimulus from the electrode can, when placed in the correct location, stimulate those areas and temporarily reverse the effects of the loss of dopamine by providing a similar effect. It is important to note that DBS stimulates secondary areas of the brain that are affected by the dopamine and not the area of the brain that produces dopamine.
Some patients wonder if the DBS can be seen externally. The answer is no. All parts of the system are internal. The wires do not protrude through the patient's flesh. That being the case, no one can tell the patient is using the DBS stimulator.
Use of the DBS is not for everyone. The decision to use a DBS mechanism should be made by a qualified medical professional and then only after an evaluation of the patient's symptoms and, just as importantly, an evaluation of the patient's general health.
Research studies have revealed that patients who profit the most from DBS treatments are those who are in good overall health, are able to maintain normal memory and cognitive functioning, and are responsive to levodopa treatment.
While the DBS treatment is not for everyone with Parkinson's disease, it does have many benefits for those who are qualified to use it. It appears that DBS suppresses the same symptoms of Parkinson's disease that L-dopa does. By that same token, symptoms that are unresponsive to L-dopa do not generally respond well to DBS usage.
The major advantage of DBS is that it makes movements during the off state of medication more like those during the on state. It also seems to reduce the dyskinesia associated with long-term treatment with L-dopa. To date, however, there is no scientific proof that DBS decelerates the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. There is also no evidence that it stops the dopamine producing cells in the brain from decaying and dying.
As useful as it is, DBS does have some risk factors associated with its use. The major risk factor with DBS is hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain. There is a possibility of stroke, due to this bleeding. This risk is considered small (less than 3%) but it can happen and patients should know about it before agreeing to the procedure. There is also the risk of infection. Again, this is a small risk (around4%). Should infection result after the surgery, the electrode is removed, along with the remaining parts of the system. Once the infection has been treated the system can be replaced.
Cost of the procedure can often be covered by insurance. Medicare covers DBS procedures, but some private insurance carriers do not. The only way to know for sure if a company covers the procedure is to contact them for information.