According to a 2021 study, nearly 3 billion people across the world suffer from neurological conditions, and many of these conditions are leading to induced disabilities among older people. In turn, the disability-adjusted life years of these people have taken a serious hit. The impact is the worst in poor and middle-income economies because of the lack of treatment infrastructure and the cost of treatments. India is trying to democratize top-quality neurological treatments, like deep brain stimulation (DBS), by making costs affordable to the masses.
This article discusses DBS as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved neurological treatment and some of the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India.
What is deep brain stimulation treatment?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure performed to treat neurological mobility conditions, like Parkinsons’ disease, Epilepsy, Tremors, etc. The procedure does not cure these conditions, but relieves symptoms and improves mobility.
DBS involves artificially stimulating specific segments of the brain using a neuro-stimulator implanted under the skull. Such neuro-stimulators work like pacemakers. Impulses generated by these neuro-stimulators regulate abnormal brain activity.
USA’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the DBS procedure for the following conditions:
- Parkinson’s disease: reduces tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity.
- Tremors: reduces or controls severe tremors.
- Dystonia: controls muscle spasms and involuntary muscle movements.
- Epilepsy: minimizes the frequency of seizures.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): useful for cases that are responding to medications.
Besides, DBS is also showing promising results for other neurological conditions, like:
- Chorea
- Huntington’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Cluster headache
- Dementia
- Depression
- Addiction
- Obesity
How does the deep brain stimulation procedure work?
Performing DBS requires surgically implanting electrodes in the brain along with a pulse generator under the skin near the collarbone. The whole procedure is performed in several stages by the best deep brain stimulation doctors in India at the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India.
- The skin covering the skull is locally anesthetized, and the surgeon makes a tiny hole in the skull. Usually, doctors do not perform DBS under general anesthesia as they require monitoring of brain functioning throughout the surgical procedure.
- Based on the accurate imaging of the brain, the surgical team, along with the neurologist, pinpoints the actual location of the brain that requires stimulation. One or more electrodes are implanted through the hole.
- After surgery, the doctor usually waits for a couple of weeks (2 to 6) before implanting the pulse generator patient. It is the pulse generator that contains the battery and creates the electrical pulse at a programmable frequency.
- Once implanted, the pulse generator is connected to the electrodes using a thin wire. The wire connecting the electrodes with the pulse generator remains hidden under the skin.
- Once both the parts have been placed, a neurologist programs the pulse generator at a specific frequency. It takes a bit of trial and error to identify the most suitable frequency for a patient. Sometimes, neurologists at the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India take a couple of weeks to find out the most precise frequency for DBS to work effectively.
Advantages of DBS include:
- Non-destructive procedure as it does not permanently damage any brain tissue.
- Patients can turn it off and on depending on the requirement. Besides, the system is adjustable and the procedure can be reversed.
- FDA-approved as an effective neurological treatment that improves the quality of life for neurology patients.
DBS does not have any major risk factor other than those associated with any surgical procedure, such as:
- Bleeding, infection, or anesthesia-related complications.
- Malfunctioning of the pulse generator, battery depletion, or discomfort at the site of the implant.
How India is revolutionizing neurological treatments
Neurology as a field of medical science has advanced significantly with the invention of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other imaging technologies. This has helped in the accurate diagnosis of neurological conditions and aided in performing precision surgeries. However, access to modern neurological treatments has remained limited for the masses because of affordability issues. Many of the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India are trying to resolve the accessibility and affordability issues for international and local patients. India as a country offers unique benefits which are making this endeavor successful.
- Availability of many expert neurologists and neuro-surgeons.
- Large hospitals that are operating at a high economy of scale, lowering average costs per patient.
- Strong government support for the medical tourism industry.
The best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India
Every year, hundreds of international patients visit India for neurological treatments and neuro-surgical interventions. Some of the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India are:
- Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- MIOT International, Chennai
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
- BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital Delhi
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, Delhi
- IBS Institute of Brain and Spine, New Delhi
- SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai
Bottomline
Neurological conditions are one of the major reasons behind the loss of economic opportunities for individuals, families, and societies. The aging population is more at risk of physical disabilities following neurological conditions. Treatments, like deep brain stimulation, can make life easier with lasting relief from symptoms and some of the best deep brain stimulation hospitals in India are bringing such treatments within the reach of the local populace as well as international patients looking for quality neurological treatment alternatives.
