Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Applications, Mechanism and Advantages

Context: Over 1.6 lakh people globally have undergone Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a medical procedure used to treat various neurological and psychiatric conditions.

What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a medical procedure where electrodes are implanted into specific areas of the brain.
• Used to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders by modulating brain activity.

How DBS Works

• Electrodes are connected by wires to a small pulse-generating device (like a pacemaker) implanted in the chest.
• This device sends mild electrical impulses to targeted brain regions.
• The stimulation helps correct abnormal brain signals or chemical imbalances.

Applications of DBS

• Primarily used for movement disorders, especially:
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Essential tremor
  • Dystonia
• Also approved for:
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Currently being studied for:
  • Severe depression
  • Epilepsy

Mechanism

• DBS modifies the way neurons communicate by delivering electrical signals.
• Interrupts faulty or erratic brain signals, reducing symptoms like:
  • Tremors
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Involuntary movements

Advantages of DBS

• Non-destructive: Unlike brain surgeries that destroy tissue, DBS is reversible.
• If the device is turned off, stimulation stops immediately.
• Helps restore normal function at both the cellular and network levels in the brain.

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