Deep Brain Stimulation – The New-Age “Brain Pacemaker”?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical operation that requires the placement of electrodes in particular areas of the brain. It is used to treat a broad range of neurological symptoms that may be debilitating. Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and chronic pain are among the neurological disorders that can be treated with Deep brain stimulation. A neurostimulator, also known as a deep brain stimulator, can be used to provide electrical stimulation to the brain’s movement-controlling areas. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved deep brain stimulation therapy for vital tremors and Parkinson’s disease in 1997 after it was first initiated in 1987.

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Although deep brain stimulation is effective in the vast majority of cases, it can have severe risks and side effects. This is the main reason why deep brain stimulation is prescribed to patients whose symptoms have not progressed by medicines.

Deep Brain Stimulation can also Help with the Following Issues:

1. Essential tremor – A disorder in which the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk tremble in a steady rhythm.
2. Dystonia – Muscles contract involuntarily due to a movement disorder.
3. Psychiatric conditions – Obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression are examples of disorders that do not respond to medication or other therapies.
4. Multiple sclerosis – A chronic condition that impacts the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves of the central nervous system. MS is always incapacitating.
5. Intractable pain – This discomfort is caused by conventional medical or surgical treatment.

Here are the Things to Take Care of Before the Treatment

1. Maintain a healthy blood glucose level for at least a few weeks before surgery.
2. At least a few weeks before the surgery, you can abstain from consuming alcohol.
3. Before the surgery, patients should stop taking blood thinners. Aspirin is included in this category.
4. Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
5. If the patient has hypertension, take the medications as per the doctor’s advice.
6. Before the surgery, take tremor medications or the medications prescribed by the doctor.

The Procedure and Recovery

Before implementing deep brain stimulation therapy, the neurosurgeon uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans to pinpoint the precise location within the brain where electrical nerve impulses trigger the symptoms. Microelectrode recording (a small wire that observes the movement of nerve cells in the target area) can be used by many doctors to more accurately and precisely locate the brain target that will be stimulated during treatment.

The permanent electrodes can be inserted in the target areas in a variety of ways after the targets in the brain have been identified. Extensions (a thin insulated wire) are attached to the stimulator from the implanted electrodes. Some stitches under the skin of the head, neck, and shoulder allow these extensions to pass through. A deep brain stimulator, similar to a pacemaker, is a battery-operated medical device. It is placed near the collarbone or in the chest under the skin.

The Best Destination to Get Brain Stimulation Treatment

In the last decade, Turkey has been one of the fastest-growing medical tourism destinations. Brain stimulation treatment in Turkey is very affordable as compared to other western countries. 

The cost of deep brain stimulation varies by country and is determined by several factors, including the surgeon’s experience, the standard or brand of stimulator used, the type of hospital, and the overall length of stay. Still, the average cost of deep brain stimulation in turkey is USD 35,000. 

Choose Medigence for Deep Brain Stimulation?

By enabling patients and their families to have video appointments with world-renowned surgeons, Medigence’s telemedicine makes it affordable for patients. These appointments are conducted in confidence on our website, and healthcare records and related patient data are kept safe on our Compliance servers. As a result, personal information about patients can only be accessed by the patients only. 

Want to get consulted by specialist doctors from the comfort and safety of your home? Well, with our advanced Telemedicine program you can now get quality care virtually with just a few taps on your smartphone or computer.