Physicians from The University of Toledo Medical Center will host a discussion next week on deep brain stimulation therapy, an advanced treatment option to address movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
The informational session will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg, with a virtual simulcast available via Zoom.
The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required. Individuals can register to attend in person or online by visiting the event’s website.
The discussion, which includes light refreshments, is being co-presented by medical device manufacturer Medtronic.
Deep brain stimulation therapy is a neurosurgical procedure in which tiny electrodes connected by wire to a pacemaker-like device are precisely placed within the brain. By using small amounts of electrical current, the device can significantly reduce tremors and improve some of the physical symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s disease.
UTMC is the first in the region to offer deep brain stimulation therapy.
“The biggest thing we want to do is increase the awareness and understanding of this treatment. It’s not the experimental treatment that a lot of people think it is,” said Dr. Jennifer Amsdell, a neurologist and movement disorder specialist at UTMC. “Deep brain stimulation is a well-tested, well-established option for certain patients suffering from essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease.”
Amsdell will be joined by UTMC neurosurgeon Dr. Alastair Hoyt at the Oct. 25 event.
Parkinson’s and essential tremor are both extremely common conditions. Nearly 1 million Americans are estimated to be living with Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Hoyt said approximately one in 20 people over the age of 60 have essential tremor.
While not all those patients would be candidates for deep brain stimulation therapy, for those who are, the procedure can provide a significant improvement in their quality of life.
“These are serious, life-altering diseases. While the treatment won’t slow the progression of Parkinson’s, it can make a big difference in the movement issues that come with the disease,” Hoyt said. “We can significantly reduce tremors and we’re also really good at improving the stiffness and slowness of movement that comes with Parkinson’s.”
With essential tremor, deep brain stimulation therapy can often reduce symptoms by up to 80%.
“Even though this treatment has been around for a long time in the U.S. and we have lots of experience as medical professionals, it is new to Toledo,” Hoyt said. “We’re really excited to introduce this treatment to patients and provide the opportunity to have this procedure done close to home.”
