Deep brain stimulation is a game-changer for some patients, alleviating the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease without the fluctuations that medications can bring. However this type of treatment isn’t for everyone and has limitations and side effects of its own.
Researchers are investigating ways to expand on the current capabilities of deep brain stimulation (DBS) such as by targeting different brain areas and programming the technology to fire electrical stimulation only when necessary.
Watch our March webinar to learn more ongoing deep brain stimulation research.
In our latest podcast, Kevin Kwok — who had stimulation surgery in November 2013 — recounts his experience with the treatment and involvement in a DBS study.
“I’ve got a lease back on life. Everything got better after DBS,” he says.
Maurizio Facheris, MD, MSc, senior associate director of research programs at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, also spoke with moderator Dave Iverson for the podcast, telling him about the current research.
“Rather than keeping the current on all the time, we could potentially have a personalized treatment to shoot the electricity only when it’s needed,” says Dr. Facheris. “We could reduce potential side effects and keep the battery lasting much longer.”
Watch our March webinar on deep brain stimulation and another neuromodulation technique: focused ultrasound.
Learn more about our monthy Third Thursdays webinars.
Subscribe to our podcast series for more Parkinson’s research updates on the go.
