Dr Divyesh Ahir, Consultant Neurosurgery, HCG Hospitals, Bhavnagar
A steady hand that once held a child, a confident stride that once led the family, when Parkinson’s takes these away, it is not just the patient who suffers. Families watch as tremors, stiffness, and slowness creep into daily life, making even simple tasks feel heavy. As a caregiver, you may have seen a loved one struggle with shaky hands or rigid muscles that steal their ease and independence. Parkinson’s touches many Indian homes, bringing worry and change. Yet there is hope. Advances like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) offer a way to restore smoother movement, reduce tremors, and bring back dignity.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that worsens over time. It happens when cells in the brain that make dopamine die off. Dopamine helps control movement. Without enough, the body struggles with smooth actions.
Common signs include tremors, especially in hands or fingers. People may move slowly or feel stiff in arms and legs. Balance problems can lead to falls. Other issues like sleep troubles or mood changes often appear. These symptoms start mild but grow stronger.
In India, more people face Parkinson’s as the population ages. A systematic review in Neurology India highlights its growing presence across regions. Factors like genes and environment play a role. Early awareness helps families seek timely care.
The Impact on Daily Life
Parkinson’s goes beyond physical signs. It affects work, hobbies, and family time. Simple tasks like eating or walking become tough. Caregivers often feel the strain, juggling support with their own lives.
The disease has stages, from mild tremors to severe limits on movement. According to the Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) report, it impacts quality of life deeply. Yet, with proper management, many lead fulfilling lives.
What is Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgery for advanced Parkinson’s. It acts like a pacemaker for the brain. A device sends electrical signals to specific areas to calm abnormal activity.
DBS targets spots like the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus. These control movement. The treatment eases tremors, stiffness, and slow steps. It’s not a cure but manages symptoms well when medicines fall short.
Why DBS Makes a Difference
By targeting parts like the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus internus, DBS can significantly improve movement symptoms, tremors, stiffness, and slowness of motion, especially those that respond to levodopa. Its effects are reliable when patients are well-chosen and screened.
The device has three parts: thin wires in the brain, a battery under the chest skin, and a connector. Signals from the battery adjust brain circuits. This reduces unwanted movements. Doctors program the device after surgery. Settings change as needed. Adaptive DBS, a new development, adjusts signals in real time for better control. It helps cut down on medicine doses and side effects.
The DBS Procedure
Surgery happens in two steps. First, electrodes go into the brain while the patient stays awake. This lets doctors test and place them right. They use imaging for precision. Next, the battery implants under general anesthesia. The whole process takes a day. Patients stay in hospital for a week. Follow-ups fine-tune the device.
DBS brings big improvements. It restores movement, cuts tremors, and boosts daily function. Many need less medicine, avoiding side effects like unwanted jerks. The HTAIn report notes DBS enhances life for suitable patients.
Who Can Benefit?
DBS suits those with advanced Parkinson’s who respond to levodopa but face ups and downs. No severe memory or mental health issues. Good overall health helps recovery. Evaluations by multi-disciplinary teams ensure fitness. In India, guidelines stress stage three or higher on the Hoehn and Yahr scale.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease may alter how a person moves, but it does not have to define how they live. Deep Brain Stimulation has opened a new chapter of hope, helping patients regain steadier hands, easier steps, and renewed confidence in daily life. For caregivers and families, it means less watching helplessly and more celebrating moments of independence. If a loved one is finding that medicines are no longer enough, it may be time to explore DBS as an option. A conversation with a trusted neurologist or neurosurgeon could be the first step toward restoring not just movement, but dignity and quality of life.