How risky is DBS surgery?
Complications and problems with the brain surgery include infections and an estimated 2 to 3 percent risk of brain hemorrhaging, the latter of which could sometimes result in paralysis, stroke or speech impairment. Rarely, leaking cerebrospinal fluid can cause headaches or life-threatening meningitis. Most side effects, however, involved minor infections of the surgical site itself that can be treated. The European researchers recorded 26 problems related to the surgery, which included movement of the electrode that required reoperation and impaired wound healing. All but one was temporary—one participant was left with a scar, Deuschl explains. He also notes that there were three suicides (two in the deep-brain stimulation group and one in the medical therapy–only group) as well as four suicide attempts (two in each group).

The increased risk for suicide in both study groups is not a surprising result. Suicide and depression are associated with Parkinson's disease, Deuschl says, but he suggests that because there was no significant difference between the surgery and med-only groups it is possible that people who are interested in DBS are risk-takers. "We have to be very careful when we offer this to patients," he says. "Those patients who belong to this risk-taking category should be warned and monitored."

The medical technology company Medtronic manufactures some components for the deep-brain stimulation device used in the study and Charles's pilot study. Charles, Deuschel and many of the other researchers involved in the new study receive grant support as well as lecture and/or consulting fees from Medtronic.

There can be no denying that taking a pill is a lot easier than undergoing DBS. The procedure first requires an invasive surgery to put a thin metal electrode on the brain’s surface. The new study targets a region called the subthalamicnucleus, which is tucked in the brain center and above the spinal cord, hence the name deep-brain stimulation. Other procedures might place the lead on the neighboring thalamus or the globus pallidus. All three regions are involved in controlling movement. Next, a pulse generator, which sends a small electric current to the targeted brain region much like a pacemaker does to the heart muscle, is implanted below the skin in the chest or abdomen. Insulated wires run from the implanted lead through the skin of the head, neck and chest to the pulse generator.

The pulse generator sends a continuous electrical signal to the targeted regions. In Parkinson's those regions are abnormally active and the stimulation regulates electrical signals between nerve cells. Scientists still do not understand how this relieves motor problems exactly, Charles says. They do know that for patients in advanced stages of the disease neither drugs nor stimulation works, perhaps because the connections between motor neurons or their ability to receive the neurotransmitter dopamine is too deteriorated, Deuschl says.

The entire treatment can involve multiple surgeries, thus multiplying the risk of complications—and treatment is expensive. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, which funds research, education and advocacy, states that the procedure, implant and accompanying appointments can cost about $100,000 (pdf). Parkinson's medication rings in at about $2,500 per year, says James Beck, who is director of research programs for the foundation and not involved in the new work. Deep-brain stimulation can partially reduce the need for and thus the cost of medication. The procedure and medication can be covered by Medicare or private insurance (provided patients have insurance). "To the individual the costs are less," he adds. "But there is a societal cost that can be quite expensive."

2 Comments

1. 1. Markuf 10:45 PM 2/13/13

   I think the stimulation opens the door to the plasticity of the brain's network and new neurological routes are used by the brain, though the parasite that contributes to the neuro-disorder gets used to the environment and adjusts or the treatments are too far in between to sustain continuous and long term benefits.Like fishing with explosives, it only works temporarily and has adverse affects. Milder and permanent stimuli might be a direction to look at though it too will have a side affect.

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2. 2. LDrakeSA 12:00 AM 5/19/13

   Parkinson's, then, is a signal processing problem?

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