Deep Brain Stimulation

An established treatment for Parkinson's disease involves implanting electrodes in the brain and connecting them to a pacemaker.

Photo courtesy of Medtronic, Inc

Deep Brain Stimulation involves electrodes implanted in the brain connected to a pacemaker.

Mike Robins was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 13 years ago. A successful businessman, his life was drastically changed when he had to deal with the constant tremors caused by the disease. Seven years ago, he was proposed a new treatment involving brain surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and was one of the first people in the world to undergo this procedure. It was successful and all the symptoms of the disease were eradicated. Today about 40,000 people have received DBS and although there is serious surgery involved, the positive results have encouraged researchers to look into how it could be used to treat other neurological diseases.

DBS involves implanting one (or in some cases two) electrodes in certain areas of the brain. These are attached by wires to a pacemaker just under the collarbone. The pacemaker controls the strength and rate of high-frequency electrical impulses that are sent up wires embedded in the neck to the electrodes. The impulses either completely stop or severely reduce the activity in the area of the brain where the electrodes are located.

The effects of DBS can be dramatically displayed by watching Robins operate his pacemaker. It can be turned on and off almost magically by holding a magnet against the area of the chest where it is implanted. When Robins turns off his pacemaker he begins to shake and shudder down the right-hand side of his body. His speech becomes laboured and he is clearly stressed as he puts considerable effort in continuing to pace the room as he did with such ease a few moments ago. Bringing the magnet to his chest again, his body relaxes and his breathing returns to a normal rate as his pacemaker is reactivated.