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
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