HCA Neighborhood Health Watch - Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson's disease can impact every aspect of a person's life, from shaking and stiffness to difficulty moving. When medications aren't enough or the side effects are too great, deep brain stimulation may be an option. The surgery involves sending electrical impulses to areas of the brain that control movement. A wire is implanted that's less than a millimeter wide and emits low electrical pulses that help the brain function more normally. Dr. Matthew Boyce, Medical Director of the Deep Brain Stimulation Program at Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals, says the procedure can reduce the need for medication. "Deep brain stimulation allows us to reduce medication. It varies in terms of the amount of reduction. People may see a 50 percent reduction in medication. Some people come off medication altogether. So there is a little variability there." Like any brain surgery, there's a risk of infection and hemorrhaging but, after DBS, patients often experience less stiffness and tremors. View Dr. Boyce's Profile at: http://hcavirginia.com/physicians/pro... http://hcavirginia.com/service/neuro-...