Nov 8-11, 2023 | Berlin
DGN Congress 2023
TRR 295 ReTune at the DGN Congress 2023 in Berlin
Challenges of Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Syndrome
Nov 8-11, 2023
Four colleagues from the Department of Neurology attended this year’s DGN Congress: Prof. Chi Wang Ip, Prof. Andrea Kühn, Dr. Patricia Krause and Dr. Niccolo Pozzi.
Prof. Andrea Kühn held a session entitled “Challenges of deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s syndrome”. There were various presentations in this context.
Prof. Chi Wang Ip and Prof. Jens Volkmann provided information on “DBS and neuroprotection”, Dr. Niccolo Pozzi on “DBS programming in gait disorders” and Dr. Patricia Krause on “Challenges, opportunities and innovations of DBS in early-onset Parkinson’s patients”
An excerpt from the latter can be found here:
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has established itself as an effective treatment method for Parkinson’s disease. However, there are only a few studies to date that deal with the use of DBS in early-onset Parkinson’s patients. These patients pose a particular challenge due to their younger age and the associated longer course of the disease. There are also genetic factors that can influence the response to DBS. Gene mutations play a particularly important role in early-onset Parkinson’s patients. Some studies have shown that patients with certain gene mutations respond less well to DBS than patients without these mutations.
In the lecture, the challenges, such as the consideration of possible risks and limitations when using DBS in patients with certain gene mutations, but also the opportunities of DBS in early-onset Parkinson’s patients were discussed. The necessary careful patient selection on the one hand, but also the risk of a protracted presentation of patients in DBS centers due to drug-associated side effects on the other hand were discussed. A strong focus was placed on possible opportunities and effects of DBS on quality of life, the adaptation of therapy to the individual needs of young patients and the discussion of possible effects of DBS on cognition and the psyche.
In summary, the presentation offered an insight into the challenges, opportunities and innovations of DBS in early-onset Parkinson’s patients and showed how this innovative form of therapy can be optimally used to improve the quality of life of those affected.
© Image: DGN
