Transcript Deep Brain Stimulation: Brain Pacemakers Kaitlin Abbate

Deep Brain Stimulation:
Brain Pacemakers
Kaitlin Abbate
What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?
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Surgical treatment
involving placement of
brain pacemaker into
the brain
Sends electrical
impulses to various
places in the brain
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Changes the brain
activity that was
previously happening so
it becomes more
normal
Components of the Pacemaker
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Implanted Pulse generator (IPG)
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Extension
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Encased in titanium
Sends impulses to area of brain to interfere with neural
activity
Generally placed near clavicle
Connects leads to IPG
Runs from head, down neck, behind ear, and to IPG in
chest
Leads
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Coiled wire insulated in polyurethane with four platinum
electrodes
Lead to the specific targeted site of brain
The Pacemaker
What does it treat?
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Many movement disorders
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Also, affective disorders
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Tremor
Dystonia
Parkinson’s disease
Tourette syndrome
Major Depression
Chronic pain
However, it is not anywhere near 100%
effective yet for any of the above
disorders
For Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor, rigidity, postural instability
 Controls symptoms so medication is not
needed anymore
 Mostly targets subthalamic nucleus and
globus pallidus inerna
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parts of brain where tremors generally occur
Pacemaker intended to stop tremor before
it begins and control the brain activity
Major Depression
No evidence to support the idea that DBS
helps depression
 However, there was a study with 6
patients
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Implanted electrodes into frontal cortex of
brain
When current turned on, 4 out of 6 patients
reported “black cloud lifting” and were more
alert
Patients were previously resistant to meds and
psychotherapy
Complications/Side Effects
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Most common side effects (may only be
temporary):
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Apathy
Hallucinations
Compulsive gambling
Hypersexuality
Brain shifts during surgery
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Potential for electrodes to be displaced
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Can lead to personality changes
So, is it worth it?
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Well, no one is really sure that pacemaker
actually works
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Very different from heart pacemaker
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Placebo Effect possibly
Heart pacemaker either works or doesn’t
Brain is more complex in the way that it is
more prone to a lot of change especially with
age
In conclusion, there is a lot of controversy
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Mostly ethical reasons
Sources
"Brain Pacemaker at AllExperts." Expert
Archive Questions. Web. 25 Apr. 2010.
<http://en.allexperts.com/e/b/br/brain_p
acemaker.htm>.
 "Deep Brain Stimulation." Wikipedia, the
Free Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Apr. 2010.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_brain
_stimulation>.
 Stein, Rob. "The Potential of 'Brain
Pacemakers'" Washington Post (2004).
Print.
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