DBS therapy shown to offer blood pressure control potential

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy could be used as a means of addressing high blood pressure following a new study.

Researchers at the University of Bristol and Frenchay Hospital have found that DBS treatments, involving the application of electrical pulses to the periaqueductal-periventricular grey region of the brain, can alleviate the pain associated with high blood pressure.

The discovery was made following trials involving a 55-year-old male stroke victim, who was weaned off blood pressure-controlling medication via use of the therapy.

It is hoped that this discovery can now be applied to assist the proportion of sufferers of this condition who are unable to benefit from drug-based treatment.

Dr Nikunj Patel, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Bristol, said: "With so many people not responding to blood pressure medications, we are in need of alternative strategies such as this one."

Currently, DBS therapy options are offered by manufacturers such as Medtronic and are approved for use against conditions including Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.