 |
|
Neurologists with expertise in brain stimulation therapy help Parkinson's patients
July 11, 2006Chicago — Patients with Parkinson's disease who are undergoing a treatment known as deep brain stimulation may benefit from the direct involvement of a neurologist with expertise both in movement disorders and in deep brain stimulation, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the September 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes into the brain to electronically stimulate areas that control movement, treating Parkinson's disease symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and problems walking. It is the most effective surgical treatment for advanced cases of Parkinson's disease. Deep brain stimulation involves intensive patient management, including adjustments of electrical currents and medication dosages as a patient's condition changes. Many medical centers in North America delegate these responsibilities to personnel who do not have extensive experience in Parkinson's disease care, such as surgical nurses, fellows or neurophysiologists, according to information in the article.
Elena Moro, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at University Health Network, University of Toronto, Ontario, studied whether the outcomes resulting from deep brain stimulation could be improved with the direct involvement of a neurologist with specific expertise both in the treatment of movement disorders in general and in deep brain stimulation in particular. Forty-four consecutive patients at the hospital who had already been receiving regular deep brain stimulation treatments for an average of 3.5 years underwent evaluation by such a neurologist—in other words, the neurologist changed the electric stimulation settings during the procedure and also adjusted the medications that patients received afterward. The patients underwent assessments for Parkinson's disease symptoms before and after their reprogrammed treatment, with following assessments at an average of 5 months (range 1 hour to 14 months) after the reprogramming.
Of the 44 patients, 24 (54.6 percent) showed additional improvement in their Parkinson's disease symptoms; 16 (36.4 percent) were unchanged; and four (9.1 percent) worsened. The patients who did improve experienced fewer tremors and less rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and also had reductions in their medication dosages. The four patients who worsened had more speech and gait problems and were returned to their original settings.
"Further improvement of parkinsonian signs can be achieved in the majority of patients even after long-term stable stimulation," the authors conclude. "Improved patient outcomes from subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation are obtained when postoperative care is personally managed by a neurologist expert in movement disorders and deep brain stimulation who is directly responsible for stimulation programming and simultaneous drug adjustments based on observed clinical responses to changing stimulation parameters."
JAMA and Archives Journals
Of the 44 patients, 24 (54.6 percent) showed additional improvement in their Parkinson's disease symptoms; 16 (36.4 percent) were unchanged; and four (9.1 percent) worsened. The patients who did improve experienced fewer tremors and less rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and also had reductions in their medication dosages. The four patients who worsened had more speech and gait problems and were returned to their original settings.
"Further improvement of parkinsonian signs can be achieved in the majority of patients even after long-term stable stimulation," the authors conclude. "Improved patient outcomes from subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation are obtained when postoperative care is personally managed by a neurologist expert in movement disorders and deep brain stimulation who is directly responsible for stimulation programming and simultaneous drug adjustments based on observed clinical responses to changing stimulation parameters."
JAMA and Archives Journals
Brain Stimulation Current Events and Brain Stimulation News RSSUltrasound shown to exert remote control of brain circuits
In a twist on nontraditional uses of ultrasound, a group of neuroscientists at Arizona State University has developed pulsed ultrasound techniques that can remotely stimulate brain circuit activity.
Scientists unmask brain's hidden potential
Previous research has found that when vision is lost, a person's senses of touch and hearing become enhanced. But exactly how this happens has been unclear.
Study Shows Promising Results in Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
New data from a study of patients with treatment-resistant depression who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subcallosal cingulate region (SCG or Cg25) of the brain shows that this intervention is generally safe and provides significant improvement in patients as early as one month after treatment. The patients also experienced continued and sustained improvement over time.
Pitt Team Receives $2.5 Million to Simulate and Analyze Brain, Immune System Activity and Apply Math to Medical Problems
In an effort to promote the application of mathematics to medical treatment, researchers in the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Mathematics will undertake a $2.5 million project to create models of how the brain and immune system function and change over time in response to certain illnesses, infections, and treatment.
Avoiding Spleen Removal for Cooley's Anemia Sufferers
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College may have discovered the precise role of a gene in one of the world's most common blood disorders, beta-thalassemia, commonly known as Cooley's anemia.
Estrogen Helps Drive Distinct, Aggressive Form of Prostate Cancer
Using a breakthrough technology, researchers led by a Weill Cornell Medical College scientist have pinpointed the hormone estrogen as a key player in about half of all prostate cancers.
New form of ECT is as effective as older types but without cognitive side effects
In a study appearing in the new issue of BRAIN STIMULATION, scientists report that a new form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is just as effective as older forms in treating depression but without any of the cognitive side effects found in the older forms.
Brain activity linked to the parental instinct
Why do we almost instinctively treat babies as special, protecting them and enabling them to survive" Darwin originally pointed out that there is something about infants which prompts adults to respond to and care for them which allows our species to survive.
Brain region that can be stimulated to reduce the cognitive deficits of sleep deprivation identified
A Columbia University Medical Center research team has uncovered how stimulation of a particular brain region can help stave off the deficits in working memory, associated with an extended sleep deprivation.
Sleep chemical central to effectiveness of deep brain stimulation
A brain chemical that makes us sleepy also appears to play a central role in the success of deep brain stimulation to ease symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders. The surprising finding is outlined in a paper published online Dec. 23 in Nature Medicine.
More Brain Stimulation Current Events and Brain Stimulation News Articles
 | Deep Brain Stimulation in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders (Current Clinical Neurology) (Current Clinical Neurology) Written by renowned authorities in the field, Deep Brain Stimulation in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders discusses today s most current and cutting-edge applications of DBS. Initially used to treat Parkinson s disease and essential tremor, DBS now has new clinical indications, new anatomic targets, and new technologies that enable an expanded role for DBS in the treatment of other movement... |
 | Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease (Neurological Disease and Therapy) Considered the largest breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in the past 40 years, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a pioneering procedure of neurology and functional neurosurgery, forging enormous change and growth within the field. The first comprehensive text devoted to this surgical therapy, this source expertly examines all aspects of DBS from history and theory to patient... |
 | Intervening in the Brain: Changing Psyche and Society (Ethics of Science and Technology Assessment) by Reinhard Merkel, G. Boer, J. Fegert, T. Galert, D. Hartmann, B. Nuttin, S. Rosahl The preceding decade has witnessed tremendous progress in clinical as well as theoretical neuroscience. In its wake, powerful new instruments of neuromodulation acting directly on the brain have been developed. However, few areas of scientific development seem to exhibit as close a connection between dreams of progress and nightmares of disaster as contemporary neuroscience. "Mind doping" is a... |
 | Carolyn's Journey: From Parkinson's Disease to a Nearly Normal Life After Deep Brain Stimulation by Victor Anderson A first-hand account of fighting Parkinson's from the viewpoint of both patient and caregiver. "Carolyn's Journey" shares the journey of Carolyn Anderson and her diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease through the eyes of her husband and primary caregiver, Victor Anderson. It is a straightforward look at the challenges of diagnosing Parkinson's disease, dealing with the doctors and insurance... |
 | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Clinical Psychiatry As understanding evolves about how different brain regions are involved in carrying out everyday tasksAand in causing brain diseases when they go awryAthis book describes a new technology that allows physicians to focally stimulate the brain in awake adults through a non-invasive procedure. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Clinical Psychiatry is an accessible and authoritative review of TMS,... |
 | Super Brain Power: 28 Minutes to a Supercharged Brain by Dane Spotts, Nancy Atkins Learn about the Brain Supercharger technology, how it was developed and used by thousands worldwide to zap stress, boost brainpower and unfold profound states of altered consciousness. Then experience it yourself—firsthand. The companion CD contains two audio soundtracks (Super Intelligence & Mozart Brain Boost) plus an instruction session by the author on how to create your own private... |
 | Mega Brain Power: Transform Your Life With Mind Machines and Brain Nutrients by Michael Hutchison |
 | Transcranial Brain Stimulation for Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders (Advances in Biological Psychiatry) |
 | Deep Brain Stimulation and Epilepsy by Hans O. Luders Deep brain stimulation has been used effectively for many years to treat patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Now, neurologists and neurosurgeons are using electric pulse generators to block abnormal activity, i.e. epileptic fits. Promising research results indicate that electric pulses implanted deep in the brain can affect neurocircuitry and help stop oncoming seizures. Supplying a... |
 | Brain Stimulation Therapies for the Clinician by Edmund S. Higgins, Mark S. George Brain stimulation the field of focally applying electricity to the brain is a rapidly growing and promising world of techniques that are effective in treating conditions ranging from Parkinson s disease to depression. Comprehensively surveying the state of current practice, Brain Stimulation Therapies for Clinicians provides a clear and straightforward analysis of its many therapeutic... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |