Deep Brain Stimulation Highly Effective in Parkinson’s Patients

Deep brain stimulation has sustained benefits for Parkinson’s patients fifteen years after device implantation, a recent study published in Neurology reveals. Study participants continue to experience motor function improvement and less dependence on medications to curb symptoms.

“Deep brain stimulation benefits seem to last for several years but not enough data have been available to show that these effects are still present more than 15 years after surgery,” said study author Elena Moro, MD, PhD, a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, in a press release.

“We wanted to know if people with Parkinson’s disease continue to benefit from this treatment. It is exciting to report that our study found in the long run, deep brain stimulation continues to be effective in people with Parkinson’s disease.”

Researchers studied a cohort of 51 Parkinson’s patients who had a deep brain stimulation device implanted. Patients had the device for an average for 17 years. While the average age of diagnosis was 40, the average age of the candidate when they received the implant was 51.  

The deep brain stimulation device is implanted surgically under the skin in the patient’s chest. Electrodes placed strategically on the brain communicate with the device which maintains control of electrical impulses.

Almost 1 million people in the US have Parkinson’s disease, with approximately 60,000 new diagnoses in the nation per year, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation website. Medications can cost an average of $2,500 per year, and surgery can incur costs up to $100,000. Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s tremors was initially approved for use in 1997, the Parkinson’s Foundation states.

The study’s researchers analyzed patient data on quality of life, medication, clinical test results, and mobility problems. Results showed that participants experienced dyskinesia 75 percent less than they had prior to implantation, meaning that they experienced less of the involuntary movements often associated with Parkinson’s.

Meanwhile, the use of medications to regulate dopamine dropped 51 percent from before implantation, and time spent in an “off state” when medication was found to be ineffective was reduced by 59 percent, the study stated.

“Our study also found that despite the natural progression of Parkinson’s disease and the worsening of some symptoms that become resistant to medications over the years, participants still maintained an overall improvement in quality of life,” said Moro in the press release.

“Future studies should continue to examine the benefits of deep brain stimulation over longer periods of time and in larger groups of people.”

In other recent news, NYU Langone Health announced its new virtual brain stimulation program recently, which will conduct at-home treatments for a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions. This specific program uses a type of brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

In addition, a $5 million grant recently given to researchers from the University of Florida from NIH will allow the testing of a new artificial intelligence tool related to treating and diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. The tool will be able to differentiate between Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy Parkinsonian variant, and progressive supranuclear palsy, all of which share symptoms.

While Parkinson’s can have devastating health effects, artificial intelligence and proven treatments such as deep brain stimulation provide optimism for future developments.