Break Free from Parkinson’s and Tremors: Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), also known as the brain pacemaker, is a system that regulates brain activity to treat conditions like Parkinson's, Dystonia, Essential Tremor, Epilepsy, and OCD, alleviating symptoms.

Treatment Program

**Your personal treatment plan will be determined after consulting with your doctor. The general program is as follows.

STEP 1

• Welcoming at the airport and VIP transfer to the hospital or hotel based on your personal treatment plan
• You will have a dedicated personal assistant 24/7 to assist you on each step of your journery

STEP 2

• Hospital admission or Hotel chek-in
• Consultation with your neurologist and neurosurgeon
• Get the medical tests recommended by your doctor

STEP 3

• Pre-operative preparations, including fasting and medication adjustments
• Receive the results of your medical tests
• Pre-operative care in the hospital
• Operation is performed based on the medical test results
• Deep Brain Stimulation surgery lasts approx. 3-4 hours

STEP 4

• Post-operative care continues in the hospital under medical supervision

STEP 5

• Discharge from hospital on the day your doctor recommended after the controls by your doctor
• VIP transfer to the hotel

STEP 6

• Continue the recovery process at hotel
• VIP transfers from hotel to hospital and from hospital to hotel for follow-up visits on the days determined by your doctor
• Deep Brain Stimulation battery programming is performed on these visit days at the hospital
• VIP transfer from hotel to airport when your treatment program is completed

Who would be an ideal candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation?

Before DBS surgery, a council of healthcare professionals evaluates the patient from many aspects. This council consists of a neurosurgeon, neurologist, psychiatrist, dietitian, and psychologist.

Although eligibility for DBS varies depending on the diagnosis, physicians consider the following criteria.

• If the patient’s quality of life is severely diminished due to symptoms
• If the patient does not respond adequately to medications
• If symptoms come back when the medication wears off
• If a Parkinson’s patient experiences freezing in his/her movements for more than 2 hours a day, even though taking the medications
• If the patient cannot use the medications due to side effects despite dosage adjustments

Your doctor will give you the most accurate guidance after the consultation.

What are Deep Brain Stimulation Benefits?

• DBS improves the quality of life
• Reduces symptoms significantly
• Reversible treatment – can be turned off or removed
• Reduces medication usage significantly
• Adjustable according to the DBS patient’s needs
• DBS is a long-term effective therapy (+15 years)
• DBS therapy has FDA approval
• High patient satisfaction and success rate

How Does Deep Brain Stimulation Work?

In DBS surgery, a surgeon places electrodes in the brain and a small device (the brain pacemaker) under the skin near the chest. The pacemaker sends electrical signals to the electrodes in the brain to help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms.

The brain controls many body functions through electrical circuits, including movement. When these circuits are damaged, movement disorders can occur. Deep Brain Stimulation therapy works by stimulating the faulty circuits, helping to restore balance and control movements, reducing tremors.

What is the Success Rate of Deep Brain Stimulation?

The success of DBS depends on the disease and the patient's condition. Generally, patients experience significant symptom relief over 15 years. DBS often reduces the need for medications by half and improves motor symptoms by 85-90%. Overall, it significantly reduces symptoms and enhances quality of life.

Risks and Side Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation

DBS surgery is generally considered low risk, but complications can occur due to the surgical procedure or brain stimulation. Your doctor will provide detailed information based on pre-operative exams and brain imaging tests.

Surgery Risks:

• Infection
• Headache
• Seizure
• Electrode/lead migration
• Neurostimulator migration
• Pain around surgery sites
• Wire breakage
• Confusion
• Bleeding
• Allergic response to implanted device

Note: Most complications resolve shortly after surgery.

Side Effects:

• Headache
• Seizure
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Speech difficulties
• Involuntary movements
• Vision problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Paresthesia (tingling sensation)
• Weight gain

Note: Side effects are often manageable with adjustments to stimulation settings, which may take 4-6 months to optimize.