deep brain stimulation

Stephen Purcell
June 5, 2024

It’s been 16 years since sweet-spot brain stimulation slowed Parkinson’s progression for Hermitage man

In 2008 at VUMC there were a group of doctors trying something unheard of on a handful of patients who signed up for their study. Half would receive deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in attempt to slow the progression of their early-stage Parkinson’s disease, and the others would not.

By Craig Boerner
September 14, 2023

Study suggests way to relieve cognitive deficits caused by Parkinson’s disease

Vanderbilt research raises the possibility of using DBS to slow the decline of cognitive function, a major source of disability, diminished quality of life, and death in more than three-quarters of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker
June 7, 2023

Deep brain sweet spot might be key to halt Parkinson’s

A sweet spot in the deep brain with direct lines of communication to motor regions far out on the cerebral cortex might hold a key to halting the progression of early-stage Parkinson’s disease.

By Paul Govern
photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker
June 30, 2020

Pilot study suggests Parkinson’s disease progression can be slowed

A pair of ultra-thin electrodes surgically implanted deep into the brain might slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to five-year outcomes from a 30-patient randomized clinical trial conducted by investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Paul Govern
December 6, 2018

Neuromodulation Society honors Hacker’s Parkinson’s research

Mallory Hacker, PhD, research assistant professor of Neurology, is the 2019 recipient of the Kumar New Investigator Award from the North American Neuromodulation Society.

By Tom Wilemon
photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker
August 30, 2018

Parkinson’s study to track impact of DBS on earliest patients

A decade after taking part in the first clinical trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered during very early-stage Parkinson’s disease, participants will return to Vanderbilt University Medical Center this year to be re-evaluated.

By Tom Wilemon
June 29, 2018

DBS treatment may slow tremor progression in early-stage Parkinson’s patients

June 29, 2018 - Analysis of data from a clinical trial conducted at Vanderbilt suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered to patients with very early-stage Parkinson’s disease slowed the progression of rest tremor. The study, published June 29 in Neurology, is significant because it is the first evidence of a treatment that may possibly delay the progression of one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease.
By Tom Wilemon
September 1, 2016

Trial to test whether DBS slows Parkinson’s progression

A consortium led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers has received funding as it makes plans for a multicenter trial that could determine whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) slows the progression of Parkinson’s disease in early-stage patients.
By Tom Wilemon
October 22, 2015

Neimat: Emotional disturbance is an overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s

Despite benefiting from dramatic improvements in movement after deep brain stimulation surgery, patients with Parkinson’s disease can be inadequately served when physicians and researchers focus only on its motor manifestations, says a Vanderbilt neurosurgeon.
By Tom Wilemon
April 3, 2014

DBS for Parkinson’s trial moves to next level

A long-term Vanderbilt University Medical Center study of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in early-stage Parkinson’s disease has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue in a pivotal, phase III, large-scale safety and efficacy trial.
By VUMC News and Communications
September 7, 2012

Parkinson’s therapy may impact language

Deep brain stimulation used to treat Parkinson’s disease may impair some aspects of language processing, a recent study suggests.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 5, 2011

Parkinson’s deep brain target fired up

Neuronal activity in a deep brain region increases as Parkinson’s disease advances, a new study suggests.
By Leigh MacMillan