All articles tagged with #deep brain stimulation
UCSF researchers developed a closed-loop adaptive deep brain stimulation system that detects step-specific brain signals and automatically modulates stimulation within milliseconds, synchronizing with walking to improve gait symmetry and reduce falls in five Parkinson’s patients—evidence supporting a shift from fixed stimulation to behavior-responsive neuromodulation with potential broader applications.
Parkinson's disease is more than tremors; non-motor symptoms—like loss of smell, REM sleep disorder, constipation, anxiety, depression, cognitive changes and fatigue—can drive daily challenges and may appear years before motor signs, even in Young-Onset Parkinson's under 50. Treatments such as Levodopa, Deep Brain Stimulation, and focused ultrasound help manage symptoms, while research on disease-modifying drugs, gene therapy, and biomarkers progresses, supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation's more than $2.5 billion raised. Local support groups and educational events aid patients and caregivers; early diagnosis and proactive management are key—consult a provider and visit mountain.commonspirit.org for more information.
Mount Sinai researchers show SCC-targeted deep brain stimulation in macaques triggers white matter remodeling and increased myelination in the cingulum, with widespread changes in brain connectivity—especially in the default mode network—revealing a durable structural mechanism for DBS’s effects in treatment-resistant depression and informing future non-surgical therapies.
Researchers found a 20–45 Hz thalamic oscillation, recorded via implanted electrodes in epilepsy patients, that occurs only during wakefulness and REM sleep and vanishes in non-REM sleep. This robust bio‑signature of consciousness could enable real‑time monitoring of brain states and guide adaptive deep‑brain stimulation therapies for neurological disorders, representing a potential clinical tool and a new window into how the brain sustains conscious states.
A 13-year-old with drug-resistant epilepsy faced a denial for deep brain stimulation because it wasn’t FDA-approved for children; after NBC News coverage, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield approved DBS and later updated its policy to cover pediatric DBS for epilepsy, offering new hope for reducing seizure frequency and improving quality of life.
South Florida hospitals are deploying advanced therapies—robot-assisted deep brain stimulation, MRI-guided high‑intensity focused ultrasound, and ongoing stem-cell research—to reduce tremors and improve movement for Parkinson's patients, with quick recoveries and a broader push toward high-tech care at institutions like Memorial Regional Hospital, Baptist Health, and the University of Miami.
Born with no heartbeat for 22 minutes and diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, 18-year-old Dylan Law has fought tremors and mobility challenges; after a 2022 deep brain stimulation procedure, he suffered a stroke that temporarily impaired speech and walking, but with therapy and support he regained both and now pursues his goal of becoming a youth pastor, earning praise as a comeback kid.
About 30% of people with depression do not respond to standard treatments. Researchers are testing deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential option, delivering electrical pulses via implanted electrodes to the brain’s white matter to gradually help escape a depressive state. DBS for depression is not FDA-approved and is available only in clinical trials, including UT Southwestern and the TRANSCEND study. Eligibility typically includes major depressive disorder with multiple failed treatments. If results are positive, FDA approval could come within several years, expanding options beyond ECT, TMS, and ketamine.
Researchers found a consistent high-frequency signal in the right anteromedial orbitofrontal cortex that correlates with OCD compulsions; brief deep-brain stimulation of a deep-brain target rapidly reduced symptoms in three treatment-resistant patients, supporting the development of responsive DBS that activates only when OCD-related brain activity is detected.
Researchers have identified specific brain wave patterns in the basal ganglia that correlate with Parkinson's symptoms, potentially enabling more precise and dynamic deep brain stimulation therapies to improve motor control.
A 65-year-old woman with Parkinson's in England played her clarinet during brain surgery under local anesthesia, demonstrating improved motor control after deep-brain stimulation, and expressed delight with her progress.
A Parkinson's patient played clarinet during brain surgery to test the effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation, which immediately improved her hand movements and her ability to play, demonstrating real-time benefits of the treatment.
A 65-year-old woman with Parkinson's in England experienced immediate symptom relief during brain surgery when she played the clarinet, demonstrating the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation in alleviating movement symptoms associated with the disease.
Researchers have developed a novel ultrasound helmet that can non-invasively target and modulate deep-brain structures with high precision, potentially transforming the study and treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions like Parkinson's disease and depression.
Experimental deep brain stimulation shows promise in turning off chronic pain signals, offering hope for patients like Edward Mowery who suffer from conditions like CRPS, potentially transforming pain treatment without opioids.