In the June, 2008 issue of IEEE there was a most interesting article written by Morgen E. Peck regarding new technology being developed to maximize DBS responsiveness in Parkinson’s Disease patients.  http://spectrum.ieee.org/jun08/6381

We know that DBS can be implemented successfully to alleviate the tremors, balance issues and rigidity that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease.  Peck reports that researchers in Michigan are developing a closed-loop system to work with the Medtronic DBS system which will communicate neuronal feedback about the timing, location and intensity of the stimulation.  This would be helpful since all patients do not respond to DBS in the same manner.

Some DBS patients have a higher propensity to react impulsively when the stimulator is turned on.  Rather than reason through their choices, these DBS patients are impulsive in their choices. This is because other areas of the brain can be affected if the stimulus doesn’t reach the EXACT area that is affected by PD.  Even a slightly misplaced DBS electrode can cause a patient to have changes in mood and cognition.  Once the 4 DBS electrodes are placed in the brain the only feedback a neurologist and patient currently have is to “wait and see”. The only regulation is to turn the stimulator on or off.

By using this newest technology the strength of the electrode’s pulse as well as the length of time the pulse is administered and the number of times the pulse is repeated can be monitored and adjusted and monitored by a 64 channel stimulator.  This would be a remarkable improvement for the efficacy of DBS for Parkinson’s Disease patients.

Of course, this closed-loop system is being tested and adjusted and is in the beginning stages of development.  However, I must commend Daryl Kipke and his team of neural engineers from the University of Michigan.  Without your determination and curiosity to develop a better DBS system, future PD patients might never find a way out of their interminable suffering.