Medtronic’s deep brain therapy ‘more effective’ for Parkinson’s

Medtronic has revealed the details of a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed that Activa, the deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, is “significantly more effective” in treating the motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease.

In a study of 156 patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease, patients were given either DBS therapy targeted at the brain’s subthalamic nucleus – the part of the body that prevents random movements – while others were given medication alone.

DBS patients exhibited a 41 per cent improvement in the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, compared to medicated patients, who demonstrated no change.

Dr Gunther Deuschl, professor of neurology and chairman of the department of neurology at the University of Kiel in Germany, remarked: “DBS clearly provides important benefits to Parkinson’s patients who suffer troubling motor symptoms despite optimal treatment with medication.”

“It should therefore be offered to this group of patients as soon as mobility problems can no longer be managed sufficiently with medication,” he added.

Medtronic claims that more than 30,000 patients across the world have received Activa DBS therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.

In April, Medtronic trialled the treatment in patients with intractable depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

While the company said that DBS therapy would not represent a cure, it could enable people to lead happier lives.

© Adfero Ltd