How Do You Use Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation is a serious measure taken to treat diseases that have not responded to more traditional treatments. It is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, dystonia–painful, uncontrollable muscle spasms, and essential tremor (a trembling in certain body parts, especially the hands). Developed in 1987, it has been used increasingly to treat other illnesses such as depression and is being tested for use in other areas. Determine the area of the brain affected by the symptoms of the illness and locate the spot using MRI or computed tomography. Decide whether both hemispheres should be treated with deep brain stimulation, remembering that stimulation of one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body. Administer local anesthesia; the patient is conscious during the procedure. A hole is drilled into the skull through which electrodes of a hair’s width is threaded into the specified area of the brain. These send electronic impulses that disrupt the neural activity causi
