Development of minimally invasive, wireless DBS therapy

Despite much research into alternatives, including gene and cell therapies, deep brain stimulation (DBS) remains the main therapy for patients with mid- and advanced-stage PD. Currently, more than 180,000 PD patients have been treated by DBS. Problems with the DBS implants are common; 15-34% of patients require follow-up surgery to remove or overhaul the (expensive) implants. In addition, all DBS patients require reoperation every 5-10 years because the battery in their implant is then "dead. This implant should then be replaced with a new implant with a full battery.

By developing a minimally invasive DBS therapy using a battery-free implantable miniature stimulator located entirely inside the head, these researchers hope to find a solution to the aforementioned problems with current stimulators. Developing a safe and effective alternative to "classic" DBS requires extensive scientific testing. Currently, mini stimulators are being tested on human brain tissue. This tissue is provided by patients undergoing brain surgery, where part of their brain tissue is removed. The image shows how the tissue, is processed from the moment it leaves the operating room.

1. Human brain tissue.

2. The tissue is cut into 300 micrometer thin slices

3. The tissue is kept in a liquid to keep it as "fresh" as possible. + = gray matter, * = white matter

4. The green arrow indicates the mini stimulator

5. The mini stimulator is "turned on" in a magnetic field

6. Under the microscope, active brain cells and their nerve endings are seen. This activation is caused by the mini stimulator