Parkinson's Disease-Advances in Treatment

The procedure of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease basically involves the surgical implantation of a thin, insulated wire lead with four electrodes at the tip, into a specific area of the brain (globus pallidus). The wire runs under the skin to a battery-operated pulse generator implanted near the clavicle (collarbone).

The generator sends continuous electrical impulses to the brain, which in turn blocks brain signals that cause the uncontrollable tremors in Parkinson's disease. The patient can turn the generator on or off by swiping a special magnet over the generator.

Deep brain stimulation is mainly indicated in those patients with severe symptoms not controlled with medication, and helps to avoid other destructive procedures like pallidotomy. It should not be considered as the primary mode of treatment for Parkinson's disease, and may not be successful in all cases. Like any other surgical procedure, DBS is not without any risks. The older the patient is, the higher the risk of complications.

The cost of surgery would be around $50,000.