Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a surgical procedure used to treat several disabling neurological symptoms — most commonly weakened motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), such as tremor, stiffness, stiffness, slow motion, and walking problems. The treatment is also used to treat critical tremor, dystonia, and focal epilepsy (epilepsy that originates in just one part of the brain). At present, the treatment is only used by people whose symptoms cannot be sufficiently managed by medicine. However, only persons who develop to any degree after taking Parkinson's medications benefit from DBS.
What is the deep brain stimulation technology?
Deep brain stimulation uses a battery-operated, surgically implanted medical device called an implantable pulse generator (IPG)—similar to a cardiac pacemaker and around the size of a stopwatch — to deliver electrical stimulation to different areas of the brain that regulate movement, thus suppressing irregular nerve signals that trigger symptoms. There are three components of the DBS system: the lead, the extension, and the IPG.
The lead (also known as an electrode)—a thin, insulated wire — is threaded through a narrow gap in the skull and implanted in the brain. The tip of the electrode is located within a particular part of the brain. The extension is an elastic wire that runs through the skin of the head, back, and shoulder, linking the lead to the implantable pulse generator. The third part is the IPG (the battery pack), which is usually inserted underneath the skin near the collarbone. It can be inserted lower in the chest or below the skin over the abdomen in some cases.
How does deep brain stimulation work?
DBS uses electrical stimulation to monitor electrical signals in neural pathways to and from specified regions of the brain to enhance movement symptoms. Thus, if DBS causes undesirable side effects or newer, more successful treatments evolve in the future, the implantable pulse generator can be removed and the DBS process can be halted. Also, stimulation from the IPG is conveniently adjustable — without more surgery — if the state of the individual improves. Some people label the pulse generator adjustment as "programming."
DBS involves minor permanent surgical changes to the brain. While minimally invasive, DBS is a surgical procedure with some associated risk. There is a slight risk that the stimulator can cause bleeding or infection in the brain. Complications can involve bleeding and inflammation of brain tissue, hallucinations, epilepsy, and temporary postoperative pain.
Deep brain stimulation for various disorders and diseases:
Essential tremor (ET) is a movement disorder commonly known by an uncontrollable tremor in various areas and on various sides of the body. Areas often affected include arms, hands, head, tongue, chin, and other parts. The lower body is affected in rare cases. Tremors can be caused by a number of other disorders or lifestyle influences. The timing of the tremor is what separates them. Minimally invasive approaches, like deep brain stimulation, can help to "deactivate" the part of the brain where there is a major tremor.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition in the United States after Alzheimer's disease. Most patients diagnosed with PD are 60 years of age or older, although an additional 5 to 10% of patients with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50. Approximately 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD, but considering that many people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, the real figure is estimated to be much greater. Some analysts claim that as many as one million Americans have PD.
Despite the progressive nature of PD-associated disorders, the disorder affects thousands of mothers, husbands, children, and other caregivers. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can reduce tremor, fatigue, fatigue, and increase mobility. However, a lot of work remains to be done. These treatments have drawbacks, despite their many achievements. There is no effective treatment that delays the progression of the underlying condition or effectively relieves a wide variety of symptoms in patients with more severe PD.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by various types of seizures. Seizures occur due to disruption of normal electrical activity in the brain, with varying results. Epilepsy may be as subtle as someone looking blankly into space for a brief time. And it may include losing control, collapsing to the ground, and getting body-shaking convulsions. Only what it means to have a seizure varies greatly. Several forms of seizures, including signs and severity, are related to epilepsy.
Deep brain stimulation has been used for several years to relieve the tremor and weakness of Parkinson's disease, although this is a new therapeutic option for epilepsy. DBS is used to control epilepsy when seizures have not responded to certain methods of treatment. This is a procedure in which a wire is continuously inserted in the brain and receives electrical signals from a pacemaker-like system embedded in the abdomen. For certain patients, deep brain stimulation does not entirely stop seizures, but can substantially reduce seizures.
Emerging technologies for improved deep brain stimulation
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for certain movement disturbances and has been used to modulate neuronal activity by delivering electrical stimuli to main brain structures. The long-term efficacy of stimulation in the treatment of disorders such as Parkinson's disease and severe tremor has encouraged its application to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Nonetheless, the use of DBS remains minimal, even in Parkinson's disease. Recent unsuccessful clinical trials of DBS in severe depression and positive treatment results in dementia and epilepsy are promoting further progress.
These advancements concentrate on interaction with disease circuits through complementary, spatial, and temporally specific approaches. Spatial specificity is encouraged by the use of segmented electrodes and field guidance, and temporal specificity includes the transmission of pattern stimulus, often guided by disease-related feedback. Such advances underpin fundamental research into brain structure-function relations and aberrant circuit patterns, including modern approaches for determining and improving the therapeutic effects of stimulation.
One of the most important drivers of market growth for deep brain stimulators is the increased population demand for minimally invasive surgeries. DBS is a minimally invasive, controlled surgery commonly used to treat dystonia movement disturbances, Parkinson’s disease, and critical tremor.
Free Valuable Insights: Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market to reach a market size of USD 2.3 billion by 2025
Minimally invasive procedures offer many benefits over conventional surgical methods, such as faster periods of recovery, smaller incisions, decreased scarring, and pain. Hence, these procedures are in high demand due to various patient benefits. Furthermore, less invasive surgery often shows a higher rate of precision relative to conventional surgical procedures in some cases.