Deep Brain Stimulation for Treating Movement Disorders
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What is Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation at UPMC has proven to be an effective treatment for involuntary movements associated with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia, such as tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, and problems with walking and balance.
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure in which a hair-thin wire (electrode) is implanted in the area of the brain that is responsible for abnormal movement. The wire is connected to a pulse generator that is implanted under the skin below the collarbone. Once activated, the generator sends mild electrical pulses through the wire to the brain. These electrical pulses modify the brain’s electrical signals to help control or stop abnormal movements.
Deep brain stimulation is both adjustable and reversible. New technology allows patients to use a remote control to adjust the level of stimulation needed to provide the greatest symptom relief with the least amount of side effects.
Patients who received deep brain stimulation have shown:
- Symptoms lessen by 40 to 60 percent
- Improved quality of life
- Increased independence
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How is Deep Brain Stimulation Performed?
Depending on the patient’s condition and diagnosis, deep brain stimulation can be performed while the patient is either awake or sedated.
During the “awake” or traditional surgical method, the patient is scanned in an MRI suite prior to their surgery. The surgical team uses these preoperative images to plan the procedure and as a roadmap to guide the implementation of an electrode into the brain. In certain cases, multiple electrodes are used.
While the electrode is being advanced through the brain, the patient does not feel any pain because of the unique nature of the human brain and its inability to generate pain signals. The surgical team is able to communicate with the patient and assess his or her brain functions to determine the best placement of the electrode.
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ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System
Using the newly developed ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System, UPMC neurosurgeons are able to perform deep brain stimulation inside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner , allowing real-time images of the brain to guide the procedure and the patient to be under general anesthesia.
The ClearPoint system includes specialized equipment designed specifically to work in a magnetic environment and advanced software that works directly with MRI images to provide step-by-step guidance for procedures. The software allows physicians to determine the optimum pathway and point of entry for a desired target in the brain before a single incision is made.
The system allows neurosurgeons to respond to shifting conditions and helps the entire procedure go smoothly and efficiently. Utilizing this technology also alleviates the fear of awake brain surgery and may open the doors to patients previously not considered surgical candidates, such as children and patients not physically able to undergo awake surgery.
UPMC is one of just a small number of institutions in the United States performing this advanced technique and offers expertise in both MR guided and traditional deep brain stimulation techniques.
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Who is a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation?
Patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, tremor due to multiple sclerosis, or with movement-related symptoms that cannot be controlled by medications are possible candidates for deep brain stimulation.
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Appointments or More Information
To schedule an appointment at UPMC's Movement Disorders and Epilepsy program, or for more information about our programs and services, call 412-647-3685.
For international calls, please dial 01-877-320-8762.
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