A team of Neurologists at New York have treated a patient suffering from severe brain damage by implanting tiny electrodes in the brain in a treatment known as Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS.
Since then the technique has been emerging as a powerful treatment for a wide range of diseases and disorders including depression, Parkinson’s disease and several other brain disorders.
The treatment can reduce the tremors of Parkinson’s patients by up to 90 percent. The success of the treatment is giving patients new hope that they can be treated with minimal side effects.
Earlier doctors used to treat depression with a procedure that they call as Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. The treatment is effective against depression but can also lead to memory loss. On the other hand DBS gives only small current to the electrodes to treat the diseases and can sometimes also make the uninjured cells to perform in a better manner. So in a way can lead to an improved performance of the brain and can also improve memory.
Scientists behind the technology also are not very sure on the working procedure of the technology. They commented that they are sure that the procedure is working but are not sure how. They also feel that they might be standing on the threshold of a new frontier.
Via: popsci
