Wired Science

would DBS help correcting speech impediment, studering???

would DBS help correcting speech impediment,stuttering????

Is there any foolow up?

How did Mr Porter do after his surgery?

How do I get information about how and where to get this procedure done? I have a family member with Parkinson,s.

Are there plans to use DBS to treat other neuro-motor problems like cerebral palsy? Have any children received DBS?

Thank you for the informative program. I need to know more about DBS -how can I get more informacion?-
I live in San Francisco. Is there a place near me where I can go for treatment and intervention? Thanks

Do you have any information on DBS being used to treat depression? It seems that depression medication, used over a long period of time, becomes increasingly less effective. It almost seems that the medication, while working at first, further cripples your own neurotransmitter function. If you are young when you begin to take medication for depression, your doctor's only option becomes increasing dosages which sets you up for a very over-taxed liver and organ system when you become older and may need to take other medications for different medical conditions in your aging body.

Are they doing any research with dbs on acquired brain injuries? Really enjoy your wired science program.

Could it improve memory?

What is the name of the surgeon-doctor who performs this surgery? And where does he practice?

You have a good show.

Thanks for the report on GBS. As a person with essential tremor since early adulthood, I'm so glad to know that there is going to be treatment for those with the more severe effects of this strange condition. That is good news.

Please help us. My husband had Parkinsons and we are fascinated by this procedure. Where do I turn for help?
Thanks, Lola Richards

I had Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's 6 years ago and think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'm not an MD but will attempt to answer some of the questions submitted by viewers:
-Olek: Google "Deep Brain Stimulation stuttering" for information.
-Dubi: Yes. The implanted neurostimulators must be programmed following surgery in order to provide optimal results and 'fine tuned' periodically thereafter.
-Lemonsprite & others: Medtronic, Inc. manufactures the neurostimulators used in DBS. Their DBS (aka Activa) website at http://www.activadbs.com/ should answer your questions. Note they also have a physician locator at http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=medtronic+doctors+activa+.
-Meagan: Children as young as 10 have had DBS for dystonia. Google "deep brain stimulation cerebral palsy" for info.
-Carol: Google "deep brain stimulation depression".
-Diane: Google "deep brain stimulation acquired injuries."
-Lizatari: It's unlikely but I'll vote for it.

Hello, yes, you can get information concerning the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Ali Rezai and our Center for Neurological Restoration. Please call our administrative number, 216-444-8001 and we can send information through the mail. We have had very successful clinical trials for treating both depression and obsessive compulsive disorders. We have performed over 1,000 DBS procedures for movement disorders at our site. For additional information, you can go to the Cleveland Clinic website
http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/neuroscience/body.cfm?id=54&source=homeintro

Kathy Huffman
Administrator
Cleveland Clinic Center for Neurological Restoration

i am doing a research project for science on DBS. where can i get more info on this topic?

i am doing a research project for science on DBS. where can i get more info on this topic?

My husband has parkinsons. He is contemplating DBS. Has this procedure been done in Austin, TX by any of the surgeons here?

HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF THIS VIDEO? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
410-837-3330

Anyone out there have DBS done for OCD /Depression? I would love to hear how succesful you feel it was and any negatives.

Is DBS useful for acquired ataxia? I had a burst brain anerurysm l2 years
ago and have been in a wheelchair ever since.

I need to know if DBS surgery is right for me? I have ataxia (aoa1) and looking forward to it correcting or atleast improving my gait. THANX!!

Hello, my father has Parkinson’s and had a DBS put in 2001. The day before the implant was activated he could barely push his way across a carpeted room in his wheel chair. The next day, he walked downstairs. It was nothing shy of miraculous!

People should know that this is not a cure for Parkinson’s. The disease will in time continue. My father is now in the advanced stages of the disease despite the presence of the implant. However, He also has a number of additional complicating factors. Also the implant did set back the progress of the disease by several years.

If you think you or a loved one might be a candidate, you should discus it with your doctor to try to make an informed decision. He or she should be able to refer you to a physician who can help.

I m now in the 11th year of my PD. Definetly very keen to know more about a possible surgery.VIP Question; At what cost???

Loking fwd to your favourable reply.

thank you.

My son had a brain injury accident in 2001 - Could this help him. If you can give any information that could help in brain injury research would be greatly help-- thank you

I'm 37 now having been starved of oxygen at birth leaving me with mild cerebral palsy effecting my speech, balance and fine motor control - e.g. using cutlery, picking up a glass and writing.

When I think about my arms they twitch involuntarily.

Am I a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation?

Is there a way to purchase the entire program on video or dvd? I remember watching it on in Nov. of 2007 and wanted to share it with a friend who was in an accident and has a brain injury.

My DBS procedure is scheduled for July 24th of 2008, by coincidence, fate or whatever else, it falls on my oldest son's birthday. a good omen perhaps, a new birth for me? I was diagnosed nearly 10 years ago. I learned about DBS through the public media and avid reading. I got serious about DBS early this year and it was almost simultaneously brought up by my new neurologist. I proceeded to do extensive research on the subject and after a few weeks informed her that I was ready to TAKE THE PLUNGE.I know I made the right decision, I am looking forward to the procedure, while tempering my expectations. I will have more for you later.

my brother went into the hosipatal for
heart surgery now he is in a vegated state
can this dbs help him. desprate.

Sandra: there was one case where a person was awakened from a vegetative state with DBS implants. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it was just a coincidence though.
Typically, DBS is used for Parkinson's disease once remaining drug therapy has been exhausted. It is also approved for use in dystonia, and essential tremor, and perhaps in 5-10 years for depression. There are other movement disorders that it may potentially help, but it has not been approved for that. It is important not to make patients worse by doing uncontrolled or unethical medical operations. Children have also undergone this procedure with success. Because brain surgery involves risk of death and/or profound disability, it is not going to be used for things such as improving memory, or non-life threatening illnesses. Basically it is being reserved for the elderly who have poor quality of life, and those who have life-threatening illnesses. The initial results have been good, but the long-term consequences(beyond a decade) are really unknown. For young people, this is a definite factor, for a 70 year old, it isn't so much. For anyone looking for this procedure, look in a major city with a university nearby. Also, know that who does the procedure is important, experience counts-some doctors are more skilled than others (as this is a new procedure). In time, the safety will improve, and it will likely be used in more situations. The electrode leads will improve, battery life (the patient will need to undergo additional surgeries to replace the battery every few years) will be made rechargeable, and gene therapy will let doctors create much more precise locations based on proteins that produce specific dyes that can be optically stimulated, versus electrically, as they are now.
If you are looking for treatments that are not approved or in the process of being approved, go to clinicaltrials.gov

I have ataxia from a TBI, my equilibrium is so compromised from it that I have to be wheelchair dependent to get anywhere. Has DBS been shown to help anyone else in a similar situation as mine?