Deep Brain Stimulation Flashcards
What is the procedure for deep brain stimulation
- This is the procedure in which stimulating electrodes are placed sterotatically into certain deep Brain structures
- the electrodes are connected to an implanted pulse generator which is batter powered
- the electrodes are then secreted to the skull and a cable tunnelled around th year down to the neck to the pulse generate situated in front of the chest
- battery replacements happen every 3-4 years whereas rechargeable systems have been developed to have a lifespan of 10 years
How much does deep brain stimulation cost
- Device £12,200
- £7,800 for surgery
- So total cost is around £20,000
What is currently NICE approved for deep brain stimulation
- Parkinson’s disease (hypokinetic movement)
- essential tremor (hyperkinetic movement)
- dystonia (hyperkinetic movement)
What type of movement is essential tremor and dystonia
Hyperkinetic
Define essential tremor
- Brain disorder causing part of the body such as the head and forearms to tremor uncontrollably
Define dystonia
- Brains disorder with sustained or repetitive muscle contractions resulting in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures
In what diseases can you get deep brain stimulation if you ask for individual funding requests
Epilepsy
chronic neuropathic pain
- this is when the consultant has to put forward a case as to why you should get it
describe and name the different types of tremor
there are two main categories these are resting tremor and action tremor
Resting Tremor
- this is when you have a tremor while resting
Action tremor
- either postural, kinetic and intention
- a postural tremor is a tremor when you life a limb such as an arm - holding something against gravity
- Kinetic - occurs with voluntary movement
- Intention - occurs with goal directed movement and worsens as approaching the target
resting tremor indicates….
parkinsons disease unless proven otherwise
what are the 4 classical symptoms of Parkinson
tremor
bradykinesia
rigidity
postural instability
What is the criteria for parkinsons patients in order to get deep brain stimulation
- Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease 4 classical symptoms – tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability
- Do not have sensory issues such as numbness and tingling
- Do not get weakness or hyperreflexia
- Require an MRI scan – check for no abnormalities in brain such as brain tumour
- No mental disorders
- Still Levodopa responsive (DBS will not work as patient is burnt out with no DA neurones to have an effect)
- Physically fit for surgery
- Realistic expectation of surgery (not a cure but to help with motor symptoms, PD will eventually catch up)
age - Younger patients benefit more from DBS but older patients can still be treated
- DBS only treats the motor symptoms and no the non-motor symptoms (such as gait or balance, cognitive problems and depression)
what does the basal ganglia do
- Nuclei in our brain to decide to make movements and stop unwanted movements
What does the thalamus do
- Central control unit, as everything is leaving the brain and coming up from spinal cord to pass through the thalamus
What are the targets in Parkinson’s for deep brain stimulation
Subthalamic nuclei. = targets tremor
Thalamus. = targets dystonia and tremor
Globus pallidus interna. = targets dystonia and tremor
Describe how deep brain stimulation works
- Patients are not on medication for this procedure so stiff and slow when arrive at hospital
- Using MRI scan to work out the target site
- Connect a stereotaxic frame on a patients head
- Drill a 4cm hole in the skull and then insert the microelectrode tip to the presumptive target site
- Each brain structure as a distinct neurophysiological spiking and spike background patterns
- Once the target site has been located microelectrode is removed and the stimulating electrode is inserted
- Cap hole, close wound, MRI scan to check electrode at correct site, then general anaesthesia for neuro-stimulator implant
- Return home next day then return to the clinical 1 month alter to programme DBS and adjust drug dosage
- Patient is awake