symptoms of parkinsons disease : Deep brain stimulation part 1

Treatment Overview of parkinsons disease

Deep brain stimulation uses electrical impulses to stimulate a target area in the brain. The stimulation affects movement by altering the activity in that area of the brain. The procedure does not destroy any brain tissue, and stimulation can be stopped at any time by turning off the device that supplies the electrical impulses.

Surgery is required to implant the equipment that produces the electrical stimulation. You are awake during the procedure (your scalp is numbed and you won't feel any pain) because you must work with the surgeon in placing the electrodes where they will have the most benefit. A small hole is drilled in your skull, and tiny wire electrodes are placed in your brain. A small battery-powered device (generator) similar to a pacemaker is implanted in your chest and connected to the electrodes in your brain by a wire. The procedure usually takes 3 to 4 hours, although it may take as long as 8 hours in some cases.

When the device is turned on, it sends 100 to 180 electrical pulses per minute to stimulate the specific area of the brain. You can turn the device on and off by holding a magnet against the skin over the device. Newer models can be turned on and off with a small remote control unit. The device can be programmed so that it delivers the correct level of stimulation to provide the greatest relief of symptoms.

What To Expect After Treatment

You will remain in the hospital for several days after the procedure while your doctor checks the effect of deep brain stimulation.

By Healthwise