Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
11:12
Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
25.1K
Increased precursor cell proliferation after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: a human study
Vinata Vedam-Mai1, Bronwen Gardner2, Michael S Okun1
1Department of Neurosurgery, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America; Department of Neurology, UF Center for Movement Disorders and Restoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 6, 2014
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) may increase neural stem cell proliferation. This study found more proliferating cells in the brains of PD patients treated with DBS compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
- Neurological Disorders
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but its mechanism of action is not fully understood.
- The proximity of DBS electrodes to neural stem cell niches suggests a potential influence on neurogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether DBS affects neural stem cell proliferation in Parkinson's disease patients.
- To explore local and distant effects of DBS on cellular plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Post-mortem brain tissue analysis from 12 Parkinson's disease patients treated with DBS.
- Comparison with 10 control brains and 5 Parkinson's disease patients without DBS.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of the subventricular zone and surrounding tissue for cell proliferation markers.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher numbers of proliferating cells expressing cell cycle, plasticity, and neural precursor markers were found in PD patients treated with DBS.
- Cell proliferation in the subventricular zone was 2-6 fold greater in PD-DBS brains compared to normal and untreated PD brains.
- Increased proliferation was observed in the tissue surrounding the DBS lead.
Conclusions:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) appears to enhance cellular plasticity in the brain.
- The findings suggest DBS may have broader effects on neurogenesis beyond the immediate electrode site.
- The clinical significance of DBS-induced cellular plasticity in Parkinson's disease requires further investigation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
28
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
28
01:21EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research
3.2K
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
3.2K
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
1.4K
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
1.4K
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
28
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of...
28