Advances in Deep-Brain Stimulation
From: Medical Device Link Daily - 06/05/2009

The Los Angeles Times looks at deep-brain stimulation and the strides made to
take the technology beyond treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Earlier this
year, FDA approved deep-brain stimulation for obsessive compulsive disorder -
marking the first time it was approved for a psychiatric condition.  

"In studies with a total of 26 patients with severe obsessive-compulsive
disorder, 60% of those whose device was turned on demonstrated ‘very much
improved’ symptoms after months of deep brain stimulation as measured by
interviews and questionnaires, says Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, an associate
professor at Brown University Medical School and Butler Hospital in
Providence, RI, who was one of the study researchers."  

In addition, there are clinical trials planned that will explore deep-brain
stimulation for epilepsy and depression. And if that isn’t enough,
experimental studies will examine the technology for obesity, traumatic brain
injury, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, anorexia, tinnitus, and addiction.
Deep-brain stimulation isn’t a guaranteed fix, but it is clearly gaining
traction in the medical world. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-nudeepbrain1-2009jun01,0,4818865,full.story

Link:
With deep brain stimulation, experts want to tread carefully
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-deep-brain-risks1-2009jun01,0,4634809.story?track=rss