WVU Medicine
The West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute announced Monday the first procedure in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and among the first in the U.S., to use new deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology that has the potential to improve the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia and other movement disorders.
Developed by Medtronic, the SenSight™ Directional Lead System is the first implant in the U.S. to use directionality and sensing, which allow physicians to deliver more personalized DBS therapy. The new technology has been U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
The RNI’s team of neurosurgeons, neurologists and other experts in movement disorder are among the most experienced in the country. The team conducted the first procedure with this technology June 9. The patient responded well to treatment and with improvements in Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
“We are pleased to provide this new technology of brain sensing, and precision-focused treatment advances care for our patients with Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia and other conditions,” Dr. Ali Rezai, DBS neurosurgeon and executive chair of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, said.
DBS, or brain pacemaker surgery, involves implantation of tiny electrodes into specific brain areas to treat neurological conditions. The FDA approved DBS for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“This technology allows for a more precise and customized DBS therapy tailored to individual patient needs and complexities to improve outcomes and safety for our patients,” Dr. Ann Murray, director of the WVU Medicine Comprehensive Movement Disorder Clinic, said.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
