Deep Brain Stimulation

Seven years ago, Mike, a successful business man, was unable to control the tremors caused by Parkinson's disease. The shaking reduced normal life to a constant battle. But a brain surgeon offered him a revolutionary new treatment called Deep Brain Stimulation and Mike was brave enough to give it a try.

DBS involves implanting an electrode into the affected region of the brain and attaching it to a device called an implantable pulse generator' which is placed under the skin in the chest. The generator produces electrical signals to stop or reduce the Parkinson's symptoms almost instantly. The patient is awake during the surgery that lasts two hours.

And now, surgeons and scientists are exploring the use of DBS not only for movement disorders, but a range of conditions, such as pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, even high blood pressure. DBS is expensive and not every patient is suitable for the procedure, but it is showing promise where other treatment fails.

Research into DBS continues. This evening, leaders in this remarkable new field of brain surgery will explain the technique, with pictures and film. And as Mike will tell us, how DBS worked for him and restored his life.

You can email in questions and comments in advance or during the event itself by contacting talk@danacentre.org.uk.