Narayana Health Care

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects multiple bodily functions adversely. It may cause tremors in the hands, stiffness of the whole body or slowing of movements. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure through which electrodes are implanted in the brain of the diseased with electrical impulses blocking brain activity that causes the symptoms.

The entire process has 4 parts:

1. Attaching a thin wire or lead to the part of the brain causing symptoms.
2. A small pacemaker styled device, the pulse generator to help create impulses.
3. A wire that connects leads to the pulse generator.
4. A programming remote like device outside the body to control all of the above.

Once the electrodes are implanted, the pulse generator is placed under the skin below your collarbone. As soon as the entire apparatus is connected the remote is set to a frequency providing maximum results, continuous electrical impulses are sent to the target area altering symptoms. It works in the same way as a cardiac pacemaker. It is simple to self-operated once you are aware of its working.

Will it work for me or my loved one?

Parkinson’s is a complicated syndrome. To establish a conclusive decision you might have to consult a lot of doctors:

• A Neurologist
• Neurosurgeon
• Neuropsychologist
• Neurophysiologist

You know you are eligible when:

• Medication management is non-effective
• Quality of life is at stake
• A lot of uncontrolled movements and tremors

This procedure may require a couple of hospital visits and stay for a day or two.

Never the less this is one of the proven remedies to improve the quality of life in Parkinsonism. You should be well aware of all the available solutions before concluding. After all, it is the question of your loved one’s care.

Dr. Anurag Saxena, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, Gurugram