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A critical reflection on the technological development of deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Christian Ineichen1, Walter Glannon2, Yasin Temel3
1Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|October 4, 2014
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Thalamic high-frequency stimulation (HFS) for Parkinson's disease tremor was introduced in 1987.
- The precise mechanisms underlying deep brain stimulation (DBS) remain incompletely understood.
- Technological advancements in DBS devices have been limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for improved mechanistic understanding of DBS.
- To advocate for accelerated technological innovation in DBS devices.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical context and current limitations of DBS technology.
- Analysis of the gap between clinical application and mechanistic understanding.
Main Results:
- Despite decades of use, the exact principles of DBS are not fully elucidated.
- DBS device technology, including electrodes and implantable pulse generators, has not progressed dynamically.
Conclusions:
- A significant gap exists in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of DBS.
- Urgent need for collaborative advancement in DBS technology by industry and medical professionals is emphasized.
