Deep Brain Stimulation: Helping Parkinson's Patients Regain Independence

For more information on Parkinson's or #YaleMedicine, visit: www.yalemedici....
Every year, approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In addition, about 10 million people in the United States have essential tremor-a neurological condition that causes a person's hands, head, or voice to shake. These conditions can seriously affect a person’s quality of life, preventing them from being able to dress or feed themselves or drive. At the same time, medications can have side effects and tend to lose effectiveness over time. If this describes you or a loved one, new technology called deep brain stimulation (DBS) could offer an alternative. The procedure was discovered in 1987 by a French neurosurgeon named Alim Louis Benabid when he was preparing to remove a part of the brain. He used a common technique to send electrical pulses into the brain in order to activate the part of the brain he wanted to remove and confirm that it didn't perform a crucial function. For reasons we don't know anymore, Dr. Benabid used twice as much electricity as he should have, and in so doing made a groundbreaking discovery-the surge of electricity halted the tremor that had plagued the patient for years. Dr. Benabid’s discovery that electricity can change nerve activity became an FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson’s and essential tremor in 1997. Twenty years later, more than 100,000 people in the world have been helped by this treatment. Scientists are now looking into ways DBS can also help patients with dystonia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, chronic pain, Tourette’s, and other neurological conditions. Until recently, patients in the Northeast had to travel long distances to have this procedure done, but in 2012 Yale Medicine launched its Deep Brain Stimulation Program. Now performing more than 50 surgeries a year, we are one of the highest volume centers in the area. Our DBS team is led by Jason Gerrard, MD, PhD, chief of functional neurosurgery at Yale Medicine. Dr. Gerrard is trained in both neurosurgery and neurophysiology, which allows him to both perform the surgery and test the neurons. Traditionally, a neurophysiologist will guide a neurosurgeon during the DBS surgery, but Dr. Gerrard’s expertise allows him to oversee the entire process. For those who do undergo DBS, the effects can be life changing: “When patients first come into our clinic, they often have tremors so severe that they are disabling. Watching them go through DBS and return to their normal lives is extremely rewarding,” says Dr. Gerrard.

[@dgrady6370]

Just found out my mom is getting this surgery, she's 74 and so private, so please keep my mom in yall prayers thanks in advance

[@bg-zn4gj]

Hope it’s gone okay.

[@rb3tv5150]

💚🙏🏿

[@alicelarsen4304]

My grandma is getting this surgery please add her and all the Parkinson’s patients in your prayers

[@alisharivera9754]

I will

[@AcbShell]

For sure. How is she going on today?

[@firstnamelastname2111]

Please update us after the surgery. Is there any more info on this? How many procedures are being carried out?

[@yolo8356]

Any update?

[@ssap3717]

My fathers DBS was a disaster. He lost his voice, and walking ability after DBS.

[@jenpatrick4741]

My mom is getting dbs in 2 months. I haven’t seen my mother without a tremor since I was maybe 8 and I’m 40. I’m so excited to see her results.

[@Jethro14403]

How’s she doing now?

[@ssap3717]

It didnt go well for my dad. He lost his voice, walking ability after DBS

[@djiji8697]

Any update??

[@DavidOlsen-e3n]

My name is David a Olsen. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017. I was on levodopa carbidopa, but too many side effects. Now I’m on Rtary but my insurance doesn’t cover it. It’s $1000 a month co-pay thank goodness my doctor has samples that he gives me that keeps me going, but it doesn’t really work that well no matter how many I take that’s why he’s prescribing for me. I have multiple issues tremors problems, swallowing or on speech problems stuttering I hope the DBS does good for me. If it does good then I can tell Parkinson’s I’m controlling the day not Parkinson’s. Thanks for your video. It was very helpful. God bless.

[@dempseyagain]

The fact that such technology exists shows how far we‘ve come as a species. Shoutout to all the surgeons, engineers, scientists,.. that made this possible. Incredible

[@parttimereaper4993]

I am so glad to see this I pray for the day they can help people almost completely but this in itself is amazing

[@jayv4250]

my dad has his phase one after 6 yrs of meds. and next week the battery gets installed. prayers for all

[@firstnamelastname2111]

Please update us on the situation. How well does this work?

[@sks9785]

My dad too. Getting through the surgery has been tough but we are hoping his machine gets turned on today. So hopeful for our dads. Prayers for you ❤️

[@ceebaiiii]

hi do you have updates ?

[@crystalidx]

My dad is on 2 years on med, and it does seem to progress. How longer can he last with just meds?

[@ssap3717]

@@crystalidx This surgery is not rosy as it sounds. My father had it. He couldn't even swallow water after surgery. Lost his walking ability mostly and caught an infection during battery replacement. Entire DBS had to be removed to cure the infection. They decided it was too risky to put it back. Now he cant talk or walk and bed ridden for the rest of his life thanks to DBS. He flew to the surgery on his own. Even doctors dont understand how this works. They will blame it on decease progression if something goes wrong. He felt like robot during the time he had DBS. At least he feels human now. Dont make your life more complicated during the last stages of your life with this these gadgets

[@shaymaasalih6601]

My fiancé done the surgery few years back it was so great decision we made its help him a lot to control his tremor 😢, but there’s a study about the gloves to help the tremor a lot hopefully to see it on the market so we can purchase it 🙏❤️💙🥺

[@elp2923]

My mom had the surgery 10 days ago! She's doing great already! The tremor is gone! Thank God and science

[@rnrs_eternity]

How much it costed you?

[@elp2923]

@@rnrs_eternity my mom didn't pay for it because her health insurance covered all the expenses. But normally it costs 15.000 to 25.000€

[@soniya225]

Tremors vanish completely from your mother body

[@nadiafatima8463]

My czn is just 35 yrs old I dont want to loose him....I pray I can afford this treatment for him from Pakistan

[@soniya225]

@@nadiafatima8463 mene abhi abhi ek video dekhi jisme hiims hospital india ke doctor bishroop chaudhary Parkinson's disease ke ilaj bata rahe hai aap vo video dekh sakti hai hope aapko faida hoga

[@lou29969]

I got my DBS yesterday at UCSF by Dr. Wang. Thursday I'll get the module to set the leads.

[@liamseekins9488]

I hope your doing okay!

[@lou29969]

@@liamseekins9488 Yes, I am!! I got my joy back and I'm moving around just remembering how to live and love life again!! Thank you for asking, I appreciate it very much🙏🏽

[@liamseekins9488]

@lou29969 that's amazing to hear! I wish you the best, thanks for being the warrior you are🙏

[@lou29969]

@@liamseekins9488 thank you so much!!! My husband and stepdaughter don't know what to do because I can do stuff for myself now. We all have to adjust.😊🙏🏽🕯

[@luckymdl02]

How are you now??? Update please

[@racheltevaseu6508]

Tmrw going to replace battery for my dbs generator. I'm a single mom with 3 teenage kids their dad died 12 yes ago ..so I'd like to thank the doctors,surgeons,researchers,specialists who are making a difference in the fight against this debilitating disease, and kudos to all you brave ones going through it. Faith,hope and love!

[@treilly261]

Hope you’re doing well!

[@herminmontilla6724]

Please how can I contact this institute I need this procedure we are in Philippines please help me I am a foor

[@samirsamir-em3fj]

My mom 81 years old .first diagnosed with Parkinson’s was 2016 and now in 2024 ,she just sleep she can’t move nothing even swallowing food too and she can’t talk ,my question is ,,does this surgery (DBS) work for here and can make here at least moving and talking ??please answer me ! ,,thank you in advance

[@hurricane9851]

This would be something for a neurologist to talk to you about.

[@pulpanochamaster]

How much it cost? Estimate of course. - is awesome

[@carlosvenegas2120]

Does this works for every parkinson person?

[@msks723]

How long does this procedure take. If the patient would feel more secure could the spouse scrub and be in room with them.

[@janamjanam3878]

i need this treatment ..

[@alisharivera9754]

Ok

[@liamseekins9488]

@@CovenantAgentLazarus ok

[@JalalDxB]

​@@liamseekins9488 ok

[@zizo2614]

My uncle is sick with this disease, can anyone help us in the association?

[@christianperezcordova6897]

Standford hospital in California. Is where you can start your process with Nurology clinic.

[@samhitadas]

your vidios are HELLPFULL

[@lexiedgrooms5361]

I have Parkinsons I wish I was a normal person and I'm not the only one I guess

[@الدبلهروي]

Comment vous contacté

[@kenzy.shares]

Incredible

[@andrewcosten]

Wow just wow

[@lizzynatir9083]

Great things Dr Madida on KZbin has being doing for mankind, I undergo his Parkinson disease treatment plan for weeks and my Parkinson Disease was completely reversed.🎉

[@TOMMYSURIA]

Shoelaces 🤯

[@savannahtropix615]

MICHAEL J FOX SHUD GIVE THIS A TRY - HES GOT MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS HE CUD GET THIS MESSAGE OUT TO & HELP CHANGE THEIR LIVES❤

[@youtubeexpose7234]

I am getting tomorow wensday my dbs in holland maastricht

[@PaardjenNoot4]

Hallo, hoe gaat het nu? Hopelijk is de operatie goed verlopen

[@Keepriding]

Prayers

[@shellylangenfeld4879]

How are things with this new method of life that is a little bit different for you to get to know that you can be very happy and how much you are not able for me to be in a way with the most of my time I will have been able to find my way in a way that is not a good thing for me to try and avoid

[@evangulick267]

Please contact me about this need treatment

[@N4dji]

Hi my father have Parkinson please give me your whatsapp number to contact you. Thanks

[@dalipkumar-eo9rx]

Yes

[@ssap3717]

This surgery is not rosy as it sounds. My father had it. He couldn't even swallow water after surgery. Lost his walking ability mostly and caught an infection during battery replacement. Entire DBS had to be removed to cure the infection. They decided it was too risky to put it back. Now he cant talk or walk and bed ridden for the rest of his life thanks to DBS. He flew to the surgery on his own. Even doctors dont understand how this works. They will blame it on decease progression if something goes wrong. He felt like robot during the time he had DBS. At least he feels human now. Dont make your life more complicated during the last stages of your life with this these gadgets.

[@raymondacbot4007]

Sorry to hear that happened to your dad.

[@Celticmist-qz6ve]

Ge could try focused ultra sound

[@tabarafall1111]

I agree 💯. My mother wants the operation but I am too aware of the risks, you are right indeed neurosurgeons are blind leaders and would never admit they don't really have a clue what they are doing, yet... Blessings.