Deep brain stimulation system for Parkinson’s patients

Boston Scientific has introduced a new system for deep brain stimulation based on cochlear implant technology that allows, through electrical signals, to act specifically on the exact target and exercise precise therapeutic control in the treatment of motor disorder symptoms in Parkinson’s patients.

The Vercise DBS system consists of a pacemaker-like stimulator that is placed under the collarbone, while the electrodes are placed at a specific point in the brain. These electrical impulses are able to contribute to the regulation of signaling and stimulate a specific part of the brain. In this way, the current can be directed in horizontal directions; something never seen before, according to Boston Scientific.

The vision of neurologists and neurosurgeons

Among the speakers who attended the presentation event, held at the NH Los Galgos Hotel in Madrid, were the neurosurgeon from the Clínico Juan Carlos Barcia, the neurologist from the University Hospital of Wurzburg, Jens Volkman, the neurosurgeon Gerard Plans, the neurologist Sergi Jaume from the Bellvitge hospital and the neurologist from the Clínico in Madrid Fernando Alonso.

For Barcia, the appearance of this device represents an advance in the possibility of modulating the response and reducing the side effects in patients. “The brain of a person who suffers from Parkinson’s has an area that works worse than the others. This means that another area works very well, but excessively. What this new system of deep brain stimulation allows is that this disarray leads to a balance between both parts, which will positively benefit the improvement of the patient’s condition and quality of life,” said the neurosurgeon.

For his part, Dr. Volkman described this new development as very positive for Parkinson’s patients. “Since September 2015, we have tested it in 19 cases and its main advantage is that the current can be directed in the right direction. Something that, until today, we had not yet achieved,” admitted the German neurologist.

The development of these technologies, according to neurosurgeon Gerard Plans, also benefits specialists in a very positive way, who can use these programs to identify stimulation points. “This system has numerous advantages, but one of the most notable is that, in practice, it helps to reduce side effects and benefits educational treatments,” stressed the specialist.

Another of the main improvements of this new invention from Boston Scientific, adds neurologist Serge Jaumá, is that, in just four months of treatment, the results have been very positive. “For us it represents a firm step forward, since we can direct the electricity and, therefore, we work much better. In a very short time we have detected surprising results and we hope that, in the long term, it will have a great future”, concluded the professional.

How does deep brain stimulation work?

The DBS intervention consists of surgically implanting a small medical device that sends signals to the brain. The doctor then places one or two insulated wires, called electrodes, on a nerve ‘target’. The electrodes are then connected to the stimulator, which is usually placed under the skin of the chest area. As the device produces weak electrical impulses that stimulate a specific region of the brain, it can help regulate nerve signaling with the consequent improvement of the symptoms of motor disorders. Although it has not yet been scientifically proven to be a cure, it can help improve the daily life of patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia or tremor.

The world’s first directional system

Powered by the Vercice PC neurostimulator, this system is designed to offer greater precision in stimulation with fewer adverse effects that improve the clinical outcome of patients. The steerable electrode design, coupled with current fractionalization, allows for increased precision in three dimensions. This allows current to be directed to precisely and stably control stimulation.

The Vercise system is a DBS solution that features Multiple Independent Current Control (MICC). The MICC is designed to provide precise control of the position and shape of stimulation, in order to deliver highly accurate electrical signals through controllable conduction. Using a dedicated power source for each of the lead’s electrodes (up to 16), the Vercise DBS system allows stimulation to be directed, minimizing the side effects of unwanted ‘reaction’ and prolonging treatment. The MICC provides precise control that refines the size and shape of the stimulation field, helping to tailor treatment for individual patients.

Effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation

Boston Scientific claims that the clinical effectiveness and long-term safety of DBS is well established. Deep brain stimulation has been used for 15 years to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that are not treatable with medication alone. Deep brain stimulation has proven effective in treating upper limb tremor, with the device being implanted unilaterally on the side opposite the side with the most severe tremor in most patients. In several clinical studies, DBS has shown an average improvement of 60-90 percent in essential tremor based on clinical scores.

Source: Acta sanitaria