For Parkinsons tormented, DBS is a renewed hope

CHENNAI: For Rehemanullah, a native of Swat Valley in Pakistan, the past 15 years was like living in the terror of constant tremors, which completely debilitated him from performing even simple tasks.  A sufferer of Parkinson’s disease, the 62-year-old has every reason to thank the neurosurgery team at Apollo Speciality Hospitals in Chennai, who brought him the much-needed stability through a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery.Dr R Ramnarayan, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon said, “Despite being under medication for more than 10 years, Rehemanullah did not experience any improvement in his condition. His high intake of drugs had caused side-effects, leading to involuntary movement of his body. His condition was deteriorating and he was experiencing severe disability in walking and stiffness in his limbs. So we decided to  perform deep brain stimulation, a minimally invasive surgical procedure.” After a local anthesia, the doctors inserted an electrode into the sub thalamic nucleus (STN) in the brain. Stimulating electrodes are implanted in the STN using Stereotactic neurosurgical navigation supported by intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring. The electrodes are connected to a battery-operated pulse generator, fixed under the chest skin. The implanted pulse generator is programmed from outside by a computer mouse like switch for optimal stimulation of the STN. The patient is trained to use this external switch as per the requirements.Dr S Yogaraj, Consultant Neurologist said, “After a 14-hour surgery, the patient has shown a marked improvement, the tremors and stiffness have decreased.” Deep Brain Stimulation is also effective for other movement disorders like dystonias, essential tremors, some psychiatric disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder and chronic depression.Parkinson’s affects two percent of the population above 60 years of age.