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The Number of Electrodes Alters the Effect of DBS Surgery 9th January 2008 - New research from Viartis, Parkinson's Disease News Neurosurgery [2007] 61 (5 Suppl 2) : 346-355 (Temel Y, Wilbrink P, Duits A, Boon P, Tromp S, Ackermans L, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V, Weber W, Visser-Vandewalle V.) DBS is a surgical method of greatly reducing Parkinson's Disease symptoms that uses electrodes implanted into the brain. It is still debated to what extent the techniques used affect the outcome of deep brain stimulation (DBS). Identification of the Subthalamic nucleus, which is where the surgery is often completed can be carried out using only one electrode or by using multiple electrodes. Researchers found that the simultaneous implantation of multiple electrodes does not increase the risk of bleeding or any other major intracranial complication. The use of multiple electrodes also resulted in better motor results when compared with patients who underwent DBS that was guided with a single electrode. There were significantly more improvements in patients' tremor and rigidity, and their symptom scores when using multiple electrodes. However, patients treated with multiple electrodes also showed subtle deterioration in their neuropsychological functions, particularly in memory function. Posted by Kate Kelsall on January 09, 2008 in Parkinson's: Deep Brain Stimulation/Programming | Permalink Technorati Tags: Deep Brain Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn