What is the effect of DBS on progression of Parkinson's Disease?
What is the effect of DBS on progression of PD?
DBS is not a cure for PD or a remedy to arrest the progression of the disease and maintain the same state. It is only a symptomatic measure to relieve the “movement- related” symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As discussed in detail earlier, PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and there is no established therapy to arrest the progressive death of nerve cells happening in PD. This applies to DBS also- in spite of doing DBS, the disease continues to progress naturally. As a result, patients with DBS can later develop significant disability due to emergence / worsening of symptoms not amenable to DBS (like memory and intellectual dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, behavioral problems, freezing of gait, imbalance, speech and swallowing disturbances etc)
Can all patients with advanced PD undergo DBS?
• Not all patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease are good candidates for DBS surgery.
• Patients with PD who have a significant degree of nonmotor problems (like memory and intellectual dysfunction, psychosis, depression) will not generally be selected for DBS, as these are not amenable to DBS.
• Very advanced stage patients (those who have severe walking disturbances/ balance problems/ falls/ freezing of gait, and disabled because of Parkinsonism even in drug “on” state) may not benefit from DBS.
• Those with advanced age and poor general health because of co-existence of other illnesses (eg: long history of diabetes/ high blood pressure; heart diseases; chronic lung diseases etc) may not be selected for DBS because their surgical risks and risks of an unsatisfactory outcome may outweigh expected benefits.
• There is a rigorous selection process whereby patients are put through a series of clinical evaluation tests before being identified as candidates for surgery.
Disclaimer: The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. The information is provided solely for educational purpose and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice.
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