Amsterdam UMC uses new treatment for Parkinson’s disease for the first time on a patient

A 47-year-old man was the first in the world to be treated outside of a study context with a new technique for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in Amsterdam this week, Amsterdam UMC reported. The technique is called Adaptive DBS (aDBS) and gives pulses (shocks) to the brain when it is needed.

It is a variant of DBS, an already applied form of brain stimulation (deep brain stimulation). In this method, inserted electrodes continuously pulse the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease or neurological or psychiatric disorders. The method can reduce the symptoms of tremors in particular, although this is not always successful and can cause side effects, such as problems with balance.

"With aDBS, the implanted electrodes continuously measure brain signals from which you can deduce the severity or presence of symptoms. A series of pulses are only given from the electrodes when brain activity is disturbed. The symptoms are reduced this way, and people will no longer receive stimulation at times when this is not necessary," the center explained.

Neurologist Martijn Beudel has been researching personalized methods. “We hope that patients experience fewer side effects because of this and possibly feel more of an effect,” he said.

Patients who have already undergone a DBS operation, like the aforementioned man, do not need to be operated on again for the aDBS. The electrodes can be adapted.

DBS had significantly aided the man, but he continued to experience side effects. "That is why we gave the system that was previously implanted in him an 'update' to the adaptive system, so to speak. This means that he will only receive pulses from the electrodes when his brain signals indicate that this is necessary," said Beudel.

The adaptive technique will not be applied to all patients immediately. Beudel and his colleagues would like to learn more about the effects first.