Deep Brain Stimulation Slows Parkinson's Tremors

An estimated four to six million people around the world suffer from the progressive neurological disorder called Parkinson's disease. While there is no cure, some patients have experienced relief from a surgical procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation. VOA's Melinda Smith has details of a recent study which compared the effects of the surgery to standard treatment with medication and therapy.

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News & Politics

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• neurological
• disorder
• dbs
• surgery
• muscle
• tension
• Medtronic
• jama
• pacemaker
• smith
• voa
• news

[Pizzo27]

Thank you for posting this!

[tarkinfish]

@kimmer6 Wow, that's great, well done to him :). Maybe the shakey voice and lack of ability to speak and move will just be ironed out with time.

[kimmer6]

@tarkinfish The operation was in April of this year. He was initially very disappointed. I see tremendous improvement. He now climbs a ladder to the roof to adjust his weather instruments and that was impossible before. He drives now as well. But the negative is that his voice is weak and shakey. Its voice or motion, no in between. He has a bigger appetite and wants to get out more often. I call it an 80% success, improving with time.

[tarkinfish]

@kimmer6 How did it turn out?

[stevedafishman]

Four to six million?...That is one of the most grossly underestimated statements I ha

ve ever read

[kimmer6]

@kimmer6 Update on Neil.... some people can take up to a year to experience near normal movement with adjustments to the DBS units. He had a second adjustment and feels better, not so discouraged after hearing that some people don't respond as quickly. I was (we were) so sure that his improvement after the implants were placed would be duplicated after the battery/control units were installed. Less than a week has transpired since the units were turned on 5/1/11 for the first time.

[kimmer6]

@kimmer6 I'm sorry, he had Distonia. My mistake. The DBS was turned on the other day. He was totally disappointed. It makes him stiff and he fell yesterday twice. I hope the different adjustments to the Medtronic device can be made to function better. Apparently the pulse width, frequency, and amplitude can be adjusted to make more favorable conditions. I am hoping that the initial "mapping'' of the inputs will be redone with better results. So far...very discouraging to him.

[kimmer6]

@plymouth369 I do not know. His Blue Shield covered it. It cost about $100,000 so far. It should be easy to get the info from Medicaid.

[plymouth369]

@kimmer6 kimmer do you know if they take medicaid for dbs

[kimmer6]

My brother had DBS surgery at USC on 4/15/11. The electrodes were implanted but the control electronics and battery will be done next week. Even without the electronics, he improved 100%. He was barely able to walk, talk, could not drive and had severe dyskinesia. The day after the implant he almost ran to the car, walked normally, and could speak clearly. He also tried driving his car for the first time in months. Very impressive! I offer encouragement to others. Feel free to contact me.