Deep Brain Stimulation (cont.)
How Effective Is the Surgery?
The vast majority of people (over 70%) experience a
significant improvement of all their symptoms related to
Parkinson's disease. Most people are able to significantly
reduce their medications.
What Kinds of Movement Problems Are Helped By DBS?
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is
effective for all major symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as
tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity and problems with walking
and balance. People bothered by involuntary movements such as
dyskinesia often experience a marked reduction of these
involuntary movements primarily because they are able to reduce
their medications following surgery.
Deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus is effective
for a wide range of Parkinson's symptoms. It seems to be
somewhat less effective for problems with walking and balance.
Also, patients remain on the same average dose of medications
following surgery.
Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus is only effective for
tremor and rigidity. Consequently, deep brain stimulation of the
thalamus is usually not performed for patients with Parkinson's
disease.
What Are the Risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. There is a
2%-3% risk of a serious and permanent complication such as
paralysis, changes in thinking, memory and personality,
seizures, and infection. Talk to your doctor to see if these
risks apply to you.
Is DBS Experimental?
No. Deep brain stimulation is not experimental. DBS of the
thalamus was approved by the FDA for the treatment of
Parkinson's disease and essential tremor in 1997. But, since
stimulation of the thalamus is only effective for treating
tremor and rigidity symptoms, it is not recommended for the
treatment of Parkinson's disease. This is because even if a
person currently only has tremor or rigidity, he or she will
eventually develop other symptoms that would only be helped by
stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus.
Therefore, stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus or globus
pallidus is recommended.
Next: Who should consider deep brain stimulation? »
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