How Does Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Work?

Medtronic DBS Therapy involves the placement of a medical device (much like a pacemaker) and thin, insulated wires, called "leads," completely inside the body. DBS Therapy sends mild electrical signals to precisely targeted areas of the brain.

The Cause of Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Parkinson's disease is an illness of the brain that gets worse over time and leads to problems with movement. It causes brain cells in an area of the brain known as the substantia nigra to die. Because these cells are involved in the production of dopamine, a chemical that enables the coordination of smooth and balanced muscle movement, their destruction results in the motor control symptoms associated with PD.

Medication can increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, or mimic the effect of dopamine to reduce symptoms. However, medication loses its effectiveness over time. Dosage must be increased, or other medications added, which can result in disturbing side effects.

How DBS Therapy Can Improve PD Symptoms

Some of your symptoms are caused by abnormal messages sent by your brain. The deep brain stimulation system sends electrical signals to an area in the brain that controls movement. These signals block some of the messages that cause disabling motor symptoms. As a result they reduce some motor control symptoms of Parkinson's disease: tremor, rigidity, and badykinesia/akinesia.

The Medtronic DBS Therapy System

The system has three parts that are implanted completely inside the body by a highly specialized neurosurgeon:

1. Neurostimulator – The power source for the system. This small pacemaker-like device contains a battery and computer chip programmed to send electrical signals to control PD symptoms.
2. Lead (pronounced "leed") – A set of thin wires covered with a protective coating. It carries the electrical signal to the to the brain tissue. Part of the lead is implanted inside the brain. The rest of the lead is implanted under the skin of the scalp.
3. Extension – An insulated wire placed under the scalp that connects to the lead and runs behind the ear, down the neck, and into the chest below the collarbone where it connects to the neurostimulator.

The deep brain stimulation system is programmed to meet your unique therapy needs. You will also be given a small controller or patient programmer that allows you to turn the system on and off and, in some cases, adjust stimulation level settings.

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