Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been performed at the Sydney Adventist Hospital (San) for the first time. This new service is providing an advanced treatment for those living with Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders. 

‘We decided to develop a DBS service at the San because there’s actually quite a large number of patients in the area with Parkinson’s disease,’ says Prof. Brain Owler, Neurosurgeon.

DBS is long term therapy to manage movement disorders.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is due to a reduction in the brain’s ability to produce dopamine. To treat the disease, Parkinson’s patients are given medication, though these must be administrated at strict time periods, and often side effects like extra movements known as dyskinesia occur. These tremors are minimised with DBS, as 90% of patients surveyed have recorded reduced side effects. For patients that undergo DBS, benefits are improved symptom control.

‘The goal of DBS is to reduce motor fluctuations and medication-resistant tremor,’ says Prof. Owler. ‘DBS provides benefits indefinitely and, although it is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, it can greatly improve quality of life.’

Not all patients who live with Parkinson’s can be treated with DBS. The procedure is not usually offered to patients over 80 years of age. Those who do undergo the procedure will need investigations and reviews undertaken, consultations with a neurologist, neurosurgeon, psychiatrists, and movement-disorder nurse, and will need a cognitive assessment. Timing of the DBS procedure is paramount.

‘You don’t want to do DBS when medications are still being effective,’ explains Prof. Owler. ‘Unfortunately, some people develop Parkinson’s disease at a young age, sometimes in their 40s or 50s. There is some evidence that those patients may benefit from having DBS at a relatively early stage.’

Sydney Adventist Hospital have neurologists with experience treating and managing Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.

‘We’ve got a skilled DBS team assembled, including the neurosurgeons, nurse navigator and anaesthetist,’ says Prof. Owler. ‘We are pleased to offer the deep brain stimulation service to the San.’