Deep Brain Stimulation

Recently Dr. Hooman Azmi and Dr. Fiona Gupta spoke about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) at the MRI Interventions Reception which was held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The doctors are experts in the field of brain and movement disorders. DBS is a surgical treatment that involves the implantation of a device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. This treatment has been especially successful in treating movement affective disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and chronic pain.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with primary symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. While DBS does not cure Parkinson's disease it has proved to help manage symptoms and subsequently improve the patient's quality of life. Some patients affected by Parkinson's disease have symptoms that can not be adequately controlled by medications. By sending high frequency electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain it directly diminishes the side-effects that some Parkinson's medications induce.

About three weeks after the surgery the brain pacemaker is turned on and will take affect. Once a month the stimulator is adjusted and within 4-6 weeks the settings will stabilize. DBS does not damage any part of the brain so it is possible to have it removed if a treatment in the future is found to be better or there is a cure. The purpose of DBS is to restore patient's quality of life, not limit them from activities. It is possible to be active again and play sports after undergoing DBS surgery.

Below is an interview with Dr. Fiona Gupta:

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550 

Cerebral Aneurysm Specialists

Brain aneurysms occurs when blood vessels clot in and in most cases eventually rupture. It is not known why this happens, but the effects can be fatal. Other symptoms include severe headaches, vomiting, fainting, seizures, lethargy, paralysis and comas. However, it is possible for an aneurysm to occur and not show symptoms. It is also possible for an aneurysm to occur and not rupture. In any case, an aneurysm is extremely dangerous.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is a physical therapy and rehabilitation facility that is staffed with experienced neurosurgeons and cerebral aneurysm specialists that can diagnose and treat a wide variety of brian and movement disorders.

If a brain aneurysm has ruptured, it is important to get treated immediately. If it has not yet rupture, there is less of an emergency and the aneurysm will be watched to see if it grows in size. If it gets worse, action will be taken. Treatment for both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms usually involves either endovascular coiling or surgical clipping.

If you would like more information on cerebral aneurysm specialists, contact the North Jersey Brain and Spine Center to schedule an appointment.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550

Herniated Disc Discectomy

Herniated discs are the common cause of many types of neck, shoulder, and arm pain. The separate discs that make the vertebrae become herniated when the the outer band (annulus fibrosus) ruptures and leaks. The common treatment for this is cervical herniated disc discectomy. This is the removal of the herniated discs and the joining of the vertebrae through spinal fusion or bone grafts.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is a physical therapy and rehabilitation center located right in the center of Bergen County. Our professional neurosurgeons can perform surgeries at four of the local hospitals. These are some of the symptoms that may occur from a herniated disc:

• Mild or severe neck pain or pain between shoulder blades
• Intense pain during movement
• Radiating pain (radiculopathy) through the arms, hands, or fingers
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or shoulder

Patients can usually get out of bed on the same day of surgery, and movement will gradually increase daily. Patients are usually discharged within two days. If you would like more information on herniated disc discectomy, contact North Jersey Brain and Spine Center.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550

Chiari Malformation Surgery

Chiari malformation is a distension of the cerebellar tonsils. This is a small section of the the cerebellum that is responsible for motor functions and emotions. This is a fairly uncommon disorder that has a wide range of mild and severe symptoms. It can be diagnosed through the use of an MRI and is most commonly treated by chiari malformation surgery.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is a physical therapy and rehabilitation center that can help to diagnose and treat chiari malformations. We have experienced neurosurgeons with access to four local hospitals and can even perform same day surgeries.

As mentioned earlier, chiari malformations can cause a variety of symptoms. Here are some symptoms that you may experience:

• Mild headaches
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Facial pain
• Fatigue
• Intracranial pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Spinal paralysis

Severe cases can be very damaging and can even cause paralysis. Surgery usually involves removal of bones to create a pathway for cerebral spinal fluid. This relieves pressure, preventing the condition from worsening.

If you would like more information on chiari malformation surgery, contact North Jersey Brain and Spine Center to schedule an appointment.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550

Neck Pain

Many people suffer from neck pain every day. This can be a wide range of things that ranges anywhere from mild irritation to very painful and debilitating. Neck pain or cervicalgia can be caused by stress, cancer, many other things, although it is most commonly caused by a herniated disc. If you are suffering from neck pain, it is important to be seen by a specialist so that they can determine the severity and the cause of it.

North Jersey Brain and Spine had highly experienced doctors that are here to diagnose and treat any type of neck pain. Our staff uses all of the latest methods and technology to help you heal as soon as possible. Our spacious physical therapy and rehabilitation facility is located right in the center of Bergen County.

In most cases, neck pain is treated with medicine and physical therapy as opposed to surgery. Conservative treatments allow the body to heal naturally by employing anti-inflammatories and painkillers.

If you are suffering from any type of neck pain, contact North Jersey Brain and Spine Center to schedule an appointment.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550

Pituitary Tumors

If you have tumors on the pituitary gland, it can likely create an imbalance of hormones in your body. This can cause many different symptoms, including depression, emotional instability, extreme weight gain, fatigue, and depression. Pituitary tumors are often benign and are generally fairly easily diagnosed.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is a physical therapy and rehabilitation center located right in the middle of Bergen County. We treat patients with pituitary tumors or any other type of brain or movement disorder which they may be suffering form.

Several different types of treatments are used for pituitary tumors. Prolactinomas are common form and are treated with drugs that help to alleviate symptoms. This can even decrease the tumor’s size. If the tumor is too large for drugs to affect it, surgery or radiation is often applied.  Pituitary tumors are rarely life threatening and these treatments are very commonly successful. There is a high chance of remission.

If you are suffering from pituitary tumors, contact North Jersey Brain and Spine Center to schedule an appointment.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
(201) 342-2550

Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers at Rutgers University have recently discovered a link between fungus and Parkinson's disease. In the past, Parkinson’s has been linked to toxins, but they were all manufactured. This is the first time that they have found a connection to a natural chemical. The fungus produces a compound that is known as mushroom alcohol.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is a physical therapy and rehabilitation facility that helps treat patients with Parkinson’s disease. Our physicians offer a comprehensive approach to treatments. We have all of the latest equipment that allows us to diagnose and help to treat any movement disorders, including:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Essential tremor
• Dystonia
• Spasticity

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center is one of the only group of neurosurgeons in the country to use deep brain stimulation technology. This is a minimally invasive surgery that is guided by an MRI. This uses lasers so that we do not have to make big incisions and also allows patients to go under anesthesia.

If you are suffering from Parkinson’s disease, contact North Jersey Brain and Spine Center to schedule an appointment.

North Jersey Brain and Spine Center
680 Kinderkamack Road
Suite 300 (3rd floor)
Oradell, NJ 07649
201-342-2550