Deep Brain Stimulation – Advantages, Risks and Conditions Treated

As you all know, the human brain is a complex organ that controls our thoughts, movements and emotions. However, there are specific neurological disorders that can impair the normal functioning of the brain, which in turn causes a significant impact on the quality of life of an individual.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery is a revolutionary treatment option for patients dealing with neurological disorders. In this specific blog, we will delve into the advantages of DBS, the conditions treated by it and the risks associated with the surgery. Continue reading to learn more about this revolutionary treatment.

What is Deep Brain Stimulation?

In DBS, electrodes are implanted within some regions of the brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that are used to treat abnormal impulses. The amount of stimulation in DBS is controlled by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in the upper portion of the chest. DBS is used to treat people whose neurons are not working correctly. Deep Brain Stimulation makes these neurons active and thus helps to improve the symptoms of various brain conditions.

Conditions treated by Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson's Disease: DBS can help with motor fluctuations, tremors, and medication side effects associated with Parkinson's disease. By modulating the neural circuits that control movement, DBS eases symptoms and improves motor function.

Essential Tremor: Essential Tremor is an involuntary shaking of the hands, head, or voice caused by a neurological disorder. Patients with essential tremors benefit from deep brain stimulation because it reduces tremors and improves fine motor skills.

Dystonia: In dystonia, muscles contract involuntarily, causing repetitive or twisting movements. Using DBS, dystonia can be relieved substantially since it normalizes muscle contractions and improves motor control.

OCD: Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery may be considered when medication and therapy don't work for treating severe and treatment-resistant OCD. DBS improves overall function and quality of life by targeting specific brain circuits involved in OCD symptoms.

Epilepsy: Deep Brain Stimulation is being explored as a potential therapy, especially for people who don't respond to traditional treatments. With DBS, brain activity is modulated in specific regions to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Advantages of Deep Brain Stimulation

The advantages of Deep Brain Stimulation are as follows:

● Effective Treatment Option: DBS has proven to be a very effective treatment option for people with neurological conditions. It involves placing electrodes in the brain's specific parts connected to a pacemaker inserted in the skin. These electrodes deliver electric signals to the targeted brain parts, thus reducing the symptoms.

● Tremor Control: Deep Brain Stimulation is an effective option for treating diseases that cause tremors in the body. Tremors can significantly impact the normal functioning of the body. DBS helps to reduce tremors by improving motor control and allowing people to regain their independence, and also enhancing their quality of life.

● Reduced medical dependency: Most neurological conditions need to be managed via medicines. People require medicines for the long term, which can lead to numerous side effects. DBS can help people suffering from various neurological disorders reduce their medication dependence by alleviating their symptoms.

● Customizable Treatment: DBS is a highly customizable treatment option. The stimulation parameters, like the intensity and frequency of the current, can be customised according to the needs of an individual. This way, specific brain regions can be targeted, maximising therapeutic benefits and minimising potential side effects.

● Reversible procedure: One of the benefits of DBS is that it's reversible. Unlike other surgeries, electrodes can be adjusted, turned off, or removed entirely. With this flexibility, patients can modify or stop the treatment if their condition changes.

Risks associated with DBS surgery

As with all other surgeries, some risks are associated with DBS surgery too. The risks are as follows:

Risks during Surgery: As we all know, DBS is a surgical procedure that is used to implant electrodes in the brain. Like any other surgical procedure, some complications are associated with it, too, like risks of bleeding, infection or side effects of anaesthesia.

Complications with Hardware: The hardware implanted, like the electrodes and the pacemaker, may pose complications. It can include device breakage, lead malfunction or other battery-related issues. It is imperative to have regular follow-up appointments with the doctor to ensure the proper functioning of the device.

Side effects: Though the surgery cures neurological symptoms, there are some side effects that can occur after the surgery. These are speech problems, muscle contractions, difficulty concentrating, pain and swelling at the implantation site. A few weeks after the surgery, the device is turned on, and the process begins to find the best possible settings. Some settings may lead to side effects, while others help relieve the symptoms of the neurological disorder a person is suffering from.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery cost in India is pretty affordable. India is a land of advanced medical facilities available at affordable rates. India boasts the presence of the most experienced doctors, advanced medical equipment and top-notch health care facilities. It is the best place to get the DBS surgery at budget friendly prices if you too are suffering from any neurological disorder.