Research
What we're funding now:
DBS REGISTRY AIMS TO
IMPROVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
by KRISHNA KNABE
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION (DBS) is the most
common surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
It involves placing electrodes into specific areas of
the brain involved in motor function, and delivering
electrical pulses to decrease motor symptoms.
DBS was first approved by the FDA in 1997 for
Parkinson’s tremor. Since then, research has led
to expanded uses of DBS for more Parkinson’s
patients with a wider range of symptoms. And
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is committed to
supporting continued research to determine which
patients are most likely to benefit from this therapy.
DBS works better than another for certain kinds of
patients or symptoms. Another goal is to define the
“window of opportunity” to determine when’s the
best time to have DBS surgery, and the most effective
and cost-efficient procedure for DBS electrode
placement. Because some patients can reduce
their medication after having surgery, the team will
examine how long the therapeutic benefit of DBS
lasts and what factors inform future medication
adjustment. They also hope to define an optimal
course of pre- and post-surgery care that can reduce
the risks of DBS surgery. And finally, they will look
at whether DBS reduces long-term costs associated
with the disease and if there are any disparities in
outcomes between patients who receive DBS.
The Foundation began funding the Registry for
the Advancement of Deep Brain Stimulation
Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease at Baylor College
of Medicine in 2016 and approved additional
support this year. DBS has been evolving due to
new devices, surgical methods, and approvals for
use in earlier stage Parkinson’s patients. And it’s
important to examine the impact of these changes.
Together, this information can help doctors
understand the factors that predict the most
positive patient outcomes after DBS surgery, and
determine the right pre-operative testing protocols
to select DBS candidates. While this study is no
longer enrolling volunteers, many others are.
Visit foxtrialfinder.org to learn more.
Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, who is leading the
project at Baylor, explains: “As a neurologist, I
am always striving to provide patients with the
highest-quality care, but we need to understand
what strategies work best for different groups
of patients. Insights from the DBS Registry will
empower health care practitioners involved in
DBS therapy to ensure our patients have the best
possi ble treatment outcomes.”
"Ask the PhD": Your Guide
to MJFF-funded Research
Dr. Jimenez-Shahed and her team will collect data
from patients on their experiences with DBS to
answer key questions. They want to understand
if any of the three FDA-approved brain targets for
Watch our staff PhDs break down Parkinson’s
research, from the latest MJFF-funded studies to
recent scientific advances in our new
“Ask the PhD” video series.
michaeljfox.org/ask-the-phd.
This project is generously funded
in part by the Parkinson’s Alliance
and the Parkinson's Unity Walk.
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Fall/Winter 2018