Deep Brain Stimulation - Dbs - Therapy - Inge's story

>> INGE VALENTINE: I was in a theater in Chicago with my daughter and there was a man sitting in front of me who turned around and said, "can you please not *** into my seat all the time?" I sort of leaned forward and said, "I'm so sorry, I have Parkinson's." [music] >> INGE: I always worry what other people think about me. Now when I go to a concert or theater, I really tuck my legs in because I don't want my legs to go 'bing, bing.' [music] >> DR. MICHAEL KLEINMAN: For movement disorders in general, we do not have cures for these conditions. >> DR. ANAND RUGHANI: D-B-S stands for deep brain stimulation, which is a surgery that we do to treat mostly movement disorders. >> DR. KLEINMAN: The aim of treatment is to improve the quality of life. >> INGE: I would like to see myself less dancing, less movement. >> GARY VALENTINE: If the pre-examinations indicate that it will work, let's go for it. That was my view. >> INGE: I was excited the morning of and I really wanted to go and if they would have said 'you can't do it today' I would have cried I think. I really wanted to get that done. >> DR. RUGHANI: We do deep brain stimulation as two basic stages. The first part of the operation is done in the operating room when the patient is generally awake. It allows us to map the cells and the specific target where we're putting these electrodes. What we can also do is then test the electrodes. So, we can put electricity through the actual electrode that stays in the brain. >> DR. KLEINMAN: If we get good results based on that stimulation, in terms of a reduction in the patient's symptoms without any significant side effects, then the electrode, which is going to be implanted and staying in place, is put in by the surgeon. >> DR. RUGHANI: So, people call this a pacemaker for the brain. And that's not totally far off the mark. >> DR. KLEINMAN: Ok, hold the arm up. Tap each one big and as fast as you can. Can you say for me really loudly, "today is a really nice day"? >> INGE: Today is a very nice day. >> DR. KLEINMAN: Good. Ok! I program that electrode to deliver stimulation to make sure that we're getting a good effect. And to make sure that I can give a certain amount of stimulation without producing any side effects. Good! Give me a smile. Good. >> DR. RUGHANI: We can actually test patients. We can have them drink from a cup of water during the surgery and we can see if we're in the spot of the brain where we find tremor cells for example. And we know that by putting electricity there, we can disrupt the circuit that's firing in synchrony and actually improve the tremor. >> DR. KLEINMAN: How you doing? >> INGE: Fine, thank you. >> DR. KLEINMAN: In the office, I'm testing out each of those contacts to see which one gives me the best response. And now, with the left one, open and close it. Good! Most of the time, we're able to reduce or sometimes, even get rid of medications that patients were taking before surgery. >> INGE: Today is a very nice day! >> DR. KLEINMAN: Good! I think you definitely have more energy than the last time. >> DR. RUGHANI: I feel like we make very big improvements in patients lives and satisfying improvements. >> GARY: Maine Med, also I have to say, is a pretty pleasant place. >> DR. RUGHANI: This is the first time we're doing D-B-S for Parkinson's Disease in Maine. So, it's nice to be able to bring this to people, bring it closer to home so people don't have to travel for it. >> DR. KLEINMAN: That's something that I think is very valuable, especially to the loved ones who have to travel for prolonged periods of time, which is quite a hardship. >> GARY: She's already back 50 percent. And you can look for, you know, maybe 85 percent of success rate here and that would be wonderful. >> INGE: A friend of mine says that I'm not moving as much when I stand. They say that "hey look at you! You are better, you're not dancing." >> DR. KLEINMAN: In certain cases, people are able to resume activities that they hadn't done in years. >>INGE: We'll just see, wait and see. And I'm very positive about it. I feel it was a good idea all together and I'm glad I did it.