WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute first in region, among first in U.S. to offer latest deep brain stimulation technology for patients with Parkinson’s
The West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) today (June 14) announced 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.
WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (right),
and Ashley Mears, PA-C, perform
a deep brain stimulation procedure
on a patient with Parkinson’s disease.
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 (FDA) 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 on Wednesday, 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,” Ali Rezai, MD, 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 has approved DBS for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The RNI team consists of world-leading experts in the use of DBS to treat patients with these disorders.
“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,” Ann Murray MD, director of the WVU Medicine Comprehensive Movement Disorder Clinic, said.