What is Brain Pacemaker?

A Brain Pacemaker is a Wireless Device which stimulates the brain with electrical current. It helps in delivering a proper treatment to the patients who suffer from diseases like Parkinson’s and Epilepsy. The neurostimulator named as, WAND (full form, Wireless Artifact-free Neuromodulation Device) which delivers electrical stimulation if it detects something missing. It works like a “Pacemaker for the Brain”. The researchers are working over it, at the University of California, Berkeley, in the U.S.A.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for the treatment of Parkinson’s was first approved in 1997, then in 2002, the advanced treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms was approved. Whereas, in 2016, the Deep Brain Surgery was approved for the Parkinson’s patient who was suffering from Parkinson Disease from more than four years and has such symptoms which cannot be controlled with medication.

According to the study published in the Journal Nature Biomedical Engineering that, ‘The device can be extremely effective at preventing debilitating tremors or seizures in patients with a variety of Neurological Conditions’. The Electrical Signal which gives a small seizure or tremor can be extremely normal, and the strength and frequency of electrical simulation require to prevent them is equally tough. It might take years of small adjustment by the doctors before the Brain Pacemaker device provides optimal treatment.

Benefits of Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS)

For the surgical treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Deep Brain Stimulator is the most commonly performed surgery whereas, it is not for everyone. People who have had Parkinson’s for at least four years DBS can be performed. Usually, doctors prefer for those who do not respond well over medication. It usually works best to minimize motor symptoms like slowness, stiffness, and tremor. Sometimes Deep Brain Stimulator even increase thinking and memory problem so it is not recommended to people who suffer from Dementia.

It works wonder if the person is selected appropriately for this. Deep Brain Stimulator would be very beneficial to minimize the symptoms and requirement of medicines, as well as minimize the side effect of the medication.

The device is both autonomous and wireless, i.e. once it learns about the signs of tremor or seizure, it will automatically adjust the stimulation parameters by its own to stop the unnecessary movements.

Wireless Artifact-free Neuromodulation (WAND) can record electrical activity from about more than 128 channels i.e. 128 points in the brain, compared to 8 channels in other closed-loop systems.

DBS Procedure and Device Programming

In the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, thin wires called Electrodes are placed on the both or one side of the brain especially in specific areas which control movement. During the surgery, the patient remains awake so that he or she can answer questions and perform specific tasks to make sure that the electrodes are placed at the correct position and point. In contrast to this, some medical centers use Brain Imaging to guide the placement of electrodes at the correct position while the patient is at sleep. Both methods have their own pros and cons and are not be suitable for everyone and available everywhere.

After placing the electrodes at the correct point, they are connected to a battery operated device which is usually placed under the skin and below the collarbone. The device is called Neurostimulator, which produces continuous electrical pulse through electrodes to decrease Parkinson’s symptoms.

After the Surgery, a few weeks later, a movement disorder specialist uses a handheld programmer to set the parameter with respect to every individual’s unique symptoms in the neurostimulator. Occasionally the DBS settings are gradually adjusted over time and medication requirements. Many patients even able to decrease the medication for Parkinson’s disease.

Adverse Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

1. The risk of major surgery for Deep Brain Stimulation is always there, but it also increases complication rate with the experience of the surgical team. The major complications involve Infection (3-5%) and Hemorrhage (1-2%).

2. Deep Brain Stimulation is helpful for patients, but it also experiences some side-effects including Apathy, Hallucination, Hypersexuality, Cognitive Dysfunction, Depression, and Euphoria.

3. In many cases, the body used to reject foreign object placed inside, or calcification of the implant made took place.