Adaptive deep brain stimulation in the news

The news comes as a technology called BrainSense™ adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), made by a company called Medtronic, has recently received a CE safety mark to say it passes European safety, health, and environmental standards.

The technology can be used in those that have undergone DBS and have the Medtronic Percept DBS PC or RC devices. It can help vary the levels of brain stimulation by “listening” to an individual’s brain activity and tailoring it to the need at the time.

Medtronic is working to facilitate making this technology available to people who already have these existing DBS devices fitted. Whilst also making sure it is an option to those that are exploring DBS, now or in the future. 

Research to be published soon

The technology has also been under investigation in an ongoing research study, ADAPT-PD, to gather data on its benefits. The study involved 70 people with Parkinson’s and the results are expected by mid 2025.

What is DBS and adaptable DBS?

DBS, until now, provides electrical stimulation to brain areas to help control movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. DBS involves surgery, where a pulse generator (a device like a heart pacemaker) is placed under the skin around the chest or stomach area. It’s connected to 1 or 2 fine wires that are inserted into specific areas of the brain. When the pulse generator is switched on, the electrodes deliver constant, high-frequency stimulation to the targeted area. This stimulation changes some of the electrical signals in the brain that cause the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s. The stimulation can be turned on or off but its amount doesn’t vary.

BrainSense™ aDBS is a software update that will allow certain DBS devices to respond to the individual’s needs and alter the levels of stimulation being delivered by the electrodes in the brain. 

Kevin’s experience

Kevin, a person with Parkinson’s in Sunderland, was one of the first people to experience the BrainSense™ aDBS technology. He had standard DBS following his diagnosis in 2017, which involved regular visits to the hospital for the DBS signals to be adjusted depending on his needs. Now, with the BrainSense™ aDBS technology, he will need fewer visits as the signals can be adjusted to his needs in real time.

Kevin’s experience shows the potential this adaptive form of DBS could have for people with Parkinson’s. 

You can read Kevin’s experience of adaptive DBS on BBC news.

What does this mean for people with Parkinson’s?

Dr Becky Jones, Research Communications Manager at Parkinson’s UK, comments:

“Current DBS can be life changing and has the promise to be even more effective by being more responsive to the needs of the individual. BrainSense™ aDBS represents a major step towards this.

“We eagerly await the results from the ADAPT-PD trial to understand just how beneficial this adaptive form of DBS is.”

“It is important to note that DBS won’t be right for everyone. It involves invasive surgery, and isn’t suitable for people who experience some specific symptoms of Parkinson’s such as thinking and memory changes. So this new form of adaptive DBS will still only be relevant to a specific group of people with Parkinson’s.”

“We recommend speaking with your healthcare team to find out if DBS might be right for you. And if you are starting the DBS journey, or have previously undergone DBS, you might want to ask your healthcare team whether your DBS device is compatible with BrainSense™ aDBS.”