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Home > Movement Disorders Surgery > Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), lesion surgery, and other new and innovative technolgies are currently being used at UF to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and other complex movement disorders and affective syndromes. The center is developing these techniques for anyone with a medical illness involving a group of brain structures known as the basal ganglia.
Deep Brain Stimulation Background
Many human central nervous system diseases are associated with abnormal patterns of physiologic activity in brain circuitry. One group of diseases involves abnormalities in a family of 5 parallel circuits which control both motor and non-motor functions. These circuits belong to a group of structures called the basal ganglia. Based on a plethora of animal and human research, we have learned that rates and patterns of electrophysiological activity are abnormal in many of these basal ganglia circuits. We can change the rates and patterns of activity by implanting brain stimulators into one of many targets including the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus, internal capsule, nucleus accumbens, and other regions.
We
can place these devices in an operating room setting utilizing advanced
brain imaging, stereotactic targeting, microelectrode recording,
and macrostimulation. The placement will often need to be within
a millimeter or less of the optimal target to improve symptoms and
avoid side effects. By applying electrical stimulation in these regions
we can change the abnormal brain conversations and effectively treat
many diseases including Parkinson’s, tremor, dystonia, and
obsessive compulsive disorder. After placement the electrodes remain
implanted and adjustments can be made to deep brain stimulation settings
(pulse width, frequency, amplitude) for changes in symptoms over
time.
Appropriately
selected patients may benefit dramatically from deep brain stimulation
therapy (DBS), or ablative procedures such as pallidotomy or thalamotomy.
The UFMDC specializes in the surgical treatment of movement disorders,
offering all currently available procedures, and they perform research
directed at improving the delivery and efficacy of these surgical
treatments. The operating room at the University of Florida is equipped
with the finest instruments available including microelectrode recording,
physiology, and imaging capabilities. The team at UF is one of the
largest interdisciplinary teams offering advantages to patients for
better selection, faster service, improved targeting, refined microelectrode
mapping, and a full time dedicated DBS programming nurse and staff. UF's
program is supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Why go to the University of Florida for your Parkinson's Disease or Movement Disorders surgery?
Answer:
Because the UFMDC has one of the largest interdisciplinary teams
in the world dedicated to making sure your Deep Brain Stimulation
device is placed correctly.
You will see a fellowship trained movement disorders neurologist, a fellowship trained movement disorders neurosurgeon, and you will receive the best possible medical optimization. Additionally, you will have access to a complete interdisciplinary team of experts in every area (speech, voice, walking, balance, memory, depression/anxiety disorders, rehabilitation, driving, occupational therapy, etc.) who specialize in the care of Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Patients.
We
will ensure you are the right candidate, and discuss with you in
detail what symptoms we think you can expect to improve with a surgical
therapy. Your case will be discussed in detail with the interdisciplinary
team prior to any surgical intervention. In addition we will provide
a top-notch operating room experience with a neurologist, microelectrode
multiple pass mapping, and careful imaging and guidance for the proper
placement of your device.
After it is implanted you will have full access to a dedicated staff for programming and followup of your medication and Deep Brain Stimulation needs. Should you have any problems we are always available to help you.
Feel free to contact us about Deep Brain Stimulation.
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