Deep Brain Stimulators are devices that can deliver electrical currents to any point within the human brain. By providing electrical current to the targeted region, they can either stimulate or suppress the electrical activity of brain cells in that area.
Age alone is not a sole criterion for Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. Factors such as the patient’s response to medication, mental status, and the anatomical structure of the brain determine whether surgery is appropriate. In some cases, surgery may not be recommended for younger patients while it may be considered for older patients.
With sufficient knowledge and equipment in modern technology centers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be safely performed on these patients with appropriate settings.
The lifespan of neurostimulators for Parkinson’s patients used to be between 4-6 years. For dystonia patients who require higher electrical currents, this period could be even shorter. With recent technological advancements, neurostimulators that can be recharged externally and have a lifespan of 20-25 years are now being used, along with devices that allow adjustment of the direction and intensity of the electrical current delivered to the brain.
Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries carried out by experienced hands and with the right technology have very low risks.
Deep Brain Stimulators are successfully used in the treatment of various conditions, primarily Parkinson’s disease, Essential tremor, and Dystonia, where medical treatment alone proves to be insufficient.
DBS surgery is performed while the patient is awake, talking, and engaged in conversation with the surgeon. Patients do not feel any pain or discomfort other than a few local anesthesia injections during the surgery. The surgery is completed in approximately 3 – 3.5 hours.
In these surgeries, the secret to success lies in accurately locating a targeted area within the brain with a diameter of 2-3 mm, and error-free placement of the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) electrodes in these points. The safest method that ensures such accurate intervention, with highly satisfying results and minimal risks, is the “Microelectrode Recording and Stimulation Technique.”
For patients who have undergone Deep Brain Stimulation, a few days following the surgery, the neurostimulators are activated through outpatient clinic visits. After approximately 2-3 weeks of regular follow-up visits, the most suitable settings for the patients are determined to achieve optimal results and enable them to return to a near-normal life. After this process, the patients are advised to visit the clinic for check-ups 3 or 4 times a year, with routine examinations scheduled approximately every 3-4 months.
The contribution of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgeries to patients can be described as “Rewind the Clock on the disease”. After the surgery, patients often experience remarkable improvements and can return to a near-normal life. Many patients who were unable to hold a fork, thread a needle, write, or rely on others for daily activities can regain their independence and resume their daily routine. A significant number of patients also regain the ability to work in their professions again.
With the advancements in technology in recent years, rechargeable neurostimulators with a lifespan of up to 25 years are being used, allowing the direction and intensity of the electrical current delivered to the brain to be adjusted as desired. These developments not only increase the success rate of the treatment but also eliminate the need for frequent neurostimulator replacements.
patients will benefit from surgery or a good candidate for such a procedure can only be determined through detailed clinical evaluation and tests.
The advantage of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is that it is a controllable, adjustable, and reversible treatment method. If the need arises for another treatment to be applied to the patient over time, DBS can be turned off or removed.
DBS Patients do not experience any changes in their normal daily routines. They can continue various sports activities such as tennis, billiards, as long as they are moderate and do not cause any head trauma. They can also swim and ride bicycles.
Not all movement disorders patients are elligible for surgery. Patients who are a good candidate for this procedure are determined through detailed clinical evaluation and tests.