Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease)

Today, with the latest advances in technology, various treatment methods are being used in the treatment of many diseases. These methods can increase people's quality of life while also extending their lifespan. Among the treatments performed, the brain pacemaker treatment method, which can be successfully applied in diseases such as Parkinson's disease with tremor and similar conditions, is also available. Let us examine together what Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) is and how the treatment is performed.

What is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease)?

Parkinson's disease, also known colloquially as "boxer's disease," is a type of disease that occurs in advanced age due to decreased dopamine substance in the brain. People who suffer from this disease experience tremors in certain parts of the body or in the hands. This condition significantly reduces the quality of life of affected individuals. This disease manifests with a series of symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? We can list them as follows:

• Postural abnormalities,

• Tremors occurring in the hands or certain areas of the body,

• Lack of arm swinging during walking,

• Slowing of the person's movements,

• Difficulty in performing routine tasks,

• Feelings of weakness,

• Feelings of slowness,

• Stiffness in muscles,

• Deterioration in handwriting,

• Weakened voice,

• Difficulty swallowing,

• Walking slowly and leaning forward,

and similar symptoms. This disease is diagnosed under medical supervision through physical examination and various tests and investigations.

To briefly answer the question "What is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease)?," the method works by sending certain electromagnetic signals to the area that receives commands for a person's movements through a pacemaker placed in the brain, stimulating it and suppressing and reducing abnormal movements that occur.

What is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?

To briefly answer the question "What is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?," it is the procedure of surgically placing the brain pacemaker in the required area of the brain. This surgery, which typically lasts 3-5 hours, is performed in two stages. In the first stage, the patient receives local anesthesia. In the second stage, general anesthesia must be administered to fully put the patient to sleep.

Who Should Undergo Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?

• Parkinson's disease patients,

• Patients with severe tremor,

• Patients with epilepsy,

• Patients with dystonia (persons in whom involuntary muscle contractions of the body occur regularly),

• Patients with Huntington's disease,

• Persons with tics,

• Persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder,

• Finally, persons deemed suitable by the doctor after examination

undergo brain pacemaker therapy. To briefly answer the question "Who Should Undergo Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?" in this manner.

Why is Brain Pacemaker Surgery Performed?

Deep brain stimulation is a treatment option evaluated particularly for alleviating symptoms of movement disorders that cannot be adequately controlled with medication therapy. In patients who do not respond sufficiently to medication treatment or who experience complications such as involuntary movements (dyskinesia) due to prolonged medication use, this method may be considered by the physician. The goal is to help improve the patient's daily quality of life.

How is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery Performed?

When we look at the question "How is Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery Performed?," we can say that this surgery is performed in two stages. In the first stage, local anesthesia is applied to the patient, numbing them partially. Through two small holes, slightly larger than a pea, electrodes are sent into the brain. Thanks to the applied local anesthesia, the patient does not feel anything. Whether the electrodes sent are functioning and whether there are any problems is checked. Any complications that arise are corrected and the first stage is completed.

Then the second stage begins and the patient is fully anesthetized. The second stage of the surgery is completed by connecting the electrodes with the pacemaker, which is applied below the collarbone.

Effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

In scientific literature, significant improvement in movement symptoms is reported in a considerable portion of Parkinson's disease patients who undergo deep brain stimulation. Symptoms that may show improvement following treatment include:

• Tremor,

• Muscle stiffness,

• Slowing of movements,

• Balance disorders,

• Walking difficulties,

• Behavioral changes,

can be listed. However, since each patient's response to treatment may vary, the results obtained may differ from person to person, and it would not be appropriate to make definitive predictions on this matter.

What are the Risks of Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?

As with all surgeries, there are certain risks in this surgery as well. However, as it is not similar to other brain surgeries, the risk factor can be considered lower. What are the Risks of Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery? can be briefly explained as follows:

• Risk of infection in the person,

• Risk of bleeding in the person,

• Risk of damage that may occur in any area of the brain,

such risks exist. However, these risks can be minimized in expert and experienced hands.

Other Possible Side Effects

In addition to the above risks, there are some effects that may be seen after surgery and are generally temporary in nature:

• Headache (usually passes on its own within a few weeks),

• Nausea and vomiting (usually passes within a few days),

• Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleepiness),

• Increase in depressive symptoms,

• Changes in personality and behavior (impulsivity, irritability, etc.),

• Unwanted movement effects that may occur as a result of stimulation not reaching the intended target area completely.

The frequency of such effects may vary from hospital to hospital and from surgeon to surgeon. To minimize risks, it is important to choose an experienced surgical team, have detailed discussions with the doctor before surgery, and fully comply with doctor's recommendations after surgery. If any unusual or severe symptoms are noticed after surgery, the doctor should be informed without delay.

What are the Advantages of Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery?

Brain pacemaker surgery has many advantages. Improving the life circumstances that have negatively evolved due to the person's disease is done through this surgery. So what are the Advantages of Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery? we can list as follows:

• Brain pacemakers do not cause damage to the brain or any part of the body.

• The device can be turned off if desired.

• Thanks to the device's remote control, the device can be adjusted.

• The dose can be adjusted when necessary.

• There are also rechargeable brain pacemakers. If the battery runs out, it can be recharged and used for many years.

• The lifespan of these pacemakers is approximately 15 years.

• In non-rechargeable pacemakers that are preferred and used, if the battery runs out, local anesthesia can be applied to the person and the battery can be replaced painlessly and without discomfort in a short time.

How to Prepare for Brain Pacemaker Surgery?

Before surgery, some preparation steps are recommended to reduce possible risks and benefit optimally from the process:

• Having detailed discussions with the doctor about the possible risks and expected benefits of the surgery,

• Selecting an experienced surgical team,

• Completing imaging tests such as MRI to determine the areas where electrodes will be placed,

• Temporarily stopping certain medications that may increase bleeding risk, as advised by the doctor,

• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol use,

• Planning support from close contacts for home care during the post-operative period.

During the pre- and post-operative process, it is very important not to make any changes to the current medication therapy without doctor's approval. Clearly sharing questions about the process with the doctor and, if necessary, obtaining information from people who have experienced this treatment can help prepare the patient for the process.

How Does the Post-Operative Period Progress?

Following deep brain stimulation surgery, the patient is kept under observation in the hospital for a period of time to monitor the recovery process. During this period, mild pain and discomfort may be felt at the surgery site; this condition usually passes on its own within a few days to a few weeks. If deemed necessary by the doctor, pain management therapy and antibiotics to prevent infection may be recommended.

Device activation and adjustment usually takes place several weeks after surgery. The doctor gradually adjusts the stimulation settings according to the patient's needs. Since response to treatment varies from person to person, improvement in symptoms may be noticed in some patients within days, while in others it may take weeks or months.

Some points recommended to be observed during the recovery process are as follows:

• Ensuring adequate rest,

• Using prescribed medications regularly,

• Keeping the surgery site clean and dry,

• Avoiding heavy activities that could damage the surgery site,

• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol use,

• Adopting a healthy eating plan,

• Engaging in regular physical activity with doctor's approval,

• Immediately informing the doctor if any unusual or severe symptoms are noticed.

Expected Results After Surgery

Following deep brain stimulation therapy, improvement in movement symptoms, reduced medication requirements, and increased daily quality of life can be observed in a significant portion of patients. However, it should be kept in mind that response to treatment varies from person to person; while some patients experience more significant improvement, in other patients the process may take longer. For this reason, it is important to have detailed discussions with the doctor before treatment about possible risks and realistic expectations.

Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery Costs in Turkey

The high success rate of treatment of many diseases performed in Turkey has made Turkish hospitals and Turkish doctors noteworthy. For this reason, particularly due to the high success rate shown in brain pacemaker surgeries, it has become a preferred destination for foreign nationals. There are many reasons for this preference. We can briefly explain these reasons for preference as follows:

• Treatments performed in Turkey are current and state-of-the-art,

• Diagnostic methods performed in Turkey are current and state-of-the-art,

• Hospitals are large and fully equipped,

• Doctors and nurses are specialist and experienced in their fields,

• All personnel involved in patient care, including staff of intermediary companies, are friendly and helpful,

• Hospitals are clean,

• Opportunity for vacation among Turkey's natural and historical attractions during and after the treatment period,

• Treatment, food, beverage, accommodation, vacation, and clothing needs can be met at reasonable prices,

such factors can be mentioned among the reasons for preference. We can see that foreign nationals want to have information about Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease) Surgery Costs in Turkey before coming to Turkey. However, at this stage, providing a specific price quote would not be correct and appropriate. Since factors such as the treatment process to be performed, the diagnostic process, and the type of disease cause differences in pricing. For this reason, you can contact us for answers to all your questions and detailed price information. Additionally, if you come to Turkey for brain pacemaker surgery through our assistance, we can facilitate your visa procedures with an invitation letter sent to the consulate by our company.