Key Opinion Leaders in Deep Brain Stimulation (Mid-Atlantic Region) Gathered for a Consensus Meeting

KINGSTON, N.J., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Copious amounts of research related to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can be found in scientific journals, with increasing numbers each year.  Despite the advances in science and numerous research endeavors, consensus meetings among experts in Parkinson's Disease (PD) have been few in number.  The last PD DBS consensus meeting occurred in 2009.  In 2015, The Parkinson Alliance hosted a Consensus Meeting with key opinion leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region to address the current perspectives about and guidelines for DBS therapy for individuals with PD.

The focus of this meeting was to discuss the current state of DBS therapy for individuals with PD and to establish guidelines that help patients understand DBS, its benefits and limitations and help physicians and surgeons improve their practice.  In attendance were neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, industry and the Chief Executive Officer of The Parkinson Alliance.  Pertinent topics discussed included, 1. challenges confronting individual practitioners, 2. the patient's experience, 3. and preoperative screening (i.e., patient selection, obstacles to surgery), surgical planning, surgical techniques, postsurgical outcomes, and follow-up intervention.

There is clear evidence that DBS can improve quality of life for people living with PD who are good candidates for the procedure.  While various advances in DBS have led to life changing intervention, scientists, scientist‐practitioners, and clinicians need to continue to work together with the PD community as a whole to help improve DBS therapy.  Dr. Jeffrey Wertheimer, Chief of Neuropsychology Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA and Chief Research Consultant for The Parkinson Alliance stated, "Meetings such as this one – a consensus meeting among interdisciplinary experts in DBS – are necessary to strengthen our understanding about and approach to DBS therapy to improve quality of care and intervention for individuals with PD."  Wertheimer added, "Given the robust content of the discussion, we decided to have an integrated, comprehensive report for health care professionals and individuals with PD and their families."

The report is available on The Parkinson Alliance website.

About The Parkinson Alliance
The Parkinson Alliance is a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for Parkinson's research and improving the quality of life in the DBS community.  After undergoing bi-lateral DBS in 2000, Margaret Tuchman, President of The Parkinson Alliance, founded DBS4PD.org to keep the community informed.

Contact
Carol Walton
CEO
The Parkinson Alliance
(800) 579-8440
[email protected]  

SOURCE The Parkinson Alliance

Related Links

http://www.parkinsonalliance.org/