How I’ve begun adapting to adaptive DBS
A newly approved system can sense my brain waves and adjust to my needs
I took an exciting new step in my Parkinson’s disease treatment path late last month. I moved from constant deep brain stimulation (DBS) to adaptive DBS, which recently was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Medtronic, the maker of the DBS system I have in place, received FDA approval for their BrainSense aDBS in February. The “a,” which stands for “adaptive,” means that my DBS system can now sense my brain waves and provide more or less stimulation based on the demand from my body, without any interaction from me.
This development means that instead of my neurologist adjusting my settings every few months, my device now has a threshold that allows it to adjust the stimulation I receive up or down in response to my changing needs. And the coolest thing is, I didn’t have to get a new device for the new technology to work.
My DBS journey
Back in October 2019, when I had my original DBS surgery, I was given the Medtronic Activa system, with a nonrechargeable battery.
The decision between rechargeable and nonrechargeable was one I made in consultation with my doctors, as it suited my lifestyle and needs. The battery had dipped below 40% in November 2023, so the unit was replaced with the smaller, longer-life battery, the Percept model. At the time, it simply picked up where my old stimulator left off and kept delivering a constant stream of stimulation to control my symptoms.
But the device also had a secret weapon. The makers were aware that adaptive technology would be introduced at some point, so they incorporated it into the Percept device. Now, it just has to be turned on! That’s huge because thousands of Parkinson’s disease patients can now receive this new form of treatment with a 30- to 60-minute programming appointment with their doctor instead of having to go through surgery for a new device.
I’ve always been amazed by the advancements in research and medical treatments for Parkinson’s disease, which have truly changed my life. I marvel even more that years ago, they were developing and implanting devices that could deliver new capabilities in a way that made it easy for patients, even before they had approval from the FDA. That’s how innovators think. It’s about how they can help today while also planning for a better tomorrow.
It’s only been a few days, but I’m feeling good so far, better than I often do after a regular DBS adjustment. My remote control now has settings that allow me to pause the aDBS and revert to my default settings, so I have some control if things don’t go well. I’ve also learned that my DBS has new settings that allow you to keep some stimulation going during an MRI — good news for those of us needing a scan, but loathing the need to stop stimulation for it.
The goal of aDBS is to continue delivering optimal stimulation without the side effects of over- or under-stimulation, and to achieve more consistent “on” time throughout the day. It may also conserve battery life by dialing down the stimulation when you sleep. Time will tell us more of the overall impact, and as more patients get “turned on” to aDBS, we’ll learn more. For now, I’m excited to be part of this new wave of treatment and to share my experiences with you as time goes on.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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