TED Talk on Deep Brain Stimulation: Parkinson's Patients Should Know the Basics About DBS
A recent video shows the potential indications of DBS therapy across a number of diseases:
TED talk on Deep Brain Stimulation
The human brain is a supercomputer with networks that control the various functions that make us who we are, and allow us to do what we do. When brain circuits malfunction, debilitating motor and behavioral symptoms may emerge. Direct electrical modulation of malfunctioning brain circuits has tremendous potential to alleviate human suffering in dramatic and sometimes surprising ways.
This TEDx talk reviews some of the basics of DBS technology which is now being used for multiple disorders and for multiple indications. The Parkinson's disease patient needs to be aware of potentially powerful uses of the technology for treatment of select symptoms.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease can help common symptoms such as:
- Tremor
- Stiffness
- Slowness (bradykinesia)
- It can improve the number of hours of "on" time
- It can improve levodopa (dopamine) responsive symptoms but it will not stop disease progression
- It can improve dyskinesia
DBS is a symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease and does not in general improve walking, talking, or thinking and in some cases it can make these symptoms worse.
