It consists of implanting electrodes in a specific target area of the brain to deliver high-frequency, low-intensity electrical stimulation to this target area from a miniaturized stimulator box implanted in the pectoral or abdominal region. It is a functional neuromodulation technique of neural networks in the brain. It is called reversible because it does not induce permanent damage to the brain tissue. It can be stopped temporarily or permanently by blocking the stimulator and removing the implanted electrodes.
Stereotaxy frame for deep brain stimulation
Doctors typically use stereotaxy to carry out surgical procedures, especially in neurosurgery. Stereotaxy involves registering every point on the patient’s skull within a reference space and defining a Cartesian coordinate (X, Y, and Z) for each point located inside a stereotaxy frame. This allows doctors to reach a target deep in the brain with submillimeter precision, which gives the importance of the stereotaxic frame.
Therefore, a large part of the smooth running of the procedure relies on the stereotaxy framework. It is the essential element that ensures the geometric precision of the technique.
This framework supports and immobilizes the head throughout the neuroradiological examinations to identify the “target” and the surgical implantation.
Identify with sub-millimeter precision the position of the intracranial target to be aimed at in the three planes of space.
It beneficially modulates the functioning of neural networks that have become pathological due to the disease.
Deep brain stimulation application :
Deep brain stimulation to patients suffering from neurological diseases with movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia).
The selection of patients eligible for deep brain stimulation is done through an exhaustive preoperative assessment to check the contraindications to performing the surgical procedure. A specialized multidisciplinary team of physicians, surgeons, and therapists carries it out.
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease
Deep brain stimulation is offered to patients who have had idiopathic Parkinson’s disease for at least five years and present disabling variations in the effectiveness of their anti-Parkinsonian treatment (fluctuations in effectiveness, i.e., the effect treatment is limited in time and dyskinesia, i.e., abnormal movements induced by the treatment). In this case, the most frequently targeted target is the subthalamic nucleus.
Deep brain stimulation for Essential tremors or involuntary and rhythmic shaking.
Deep brain stimulation is offered to patients suffering from severe and disabling essential tremors daily. This widespread pathology after age 60 can be a source of activity limitations, with a severe impairment of quality of life when drug treatments do not control the disease and have an impact on the patient’s social or professional life; deep brain stimulation can then be offered and make the living better.
Deep brain stimulation for Dystonia or repetitive or twisting movements.
Patients suffering from severe, disabling segmental, or generalized dystonia (a rare disease with multiple etiologies) may also be offered a deep brain stimulation procedure. In this indication, the proposed target is the internal globus pallidus.
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