A recent study reveals that personalised deep brain stimulation (DBS) can significantly improve the mobility of people with Parkinson’s disease, ultimately helping them to take part in everyday life again

Forty patients at six European centres participated in the VANTAGE study that investigated Boston Scientific’s Vercise^TM Deep Brain Stimulation System. Deep brain stimulation is a method to help regulate specific regions of the brain that are associated with abnormal neural activity. The DBS procedure consists of a modest medical device, implanted under the skin of the chest which sends mild electrical impulses to the brain via two insulated cables called leads.

The VANTAGE trial highlights the importance of personalised treatment: each person living with Parkinson’s is different and therapy needs to be tailored to each individual. The Vercise^TM DBS system’s innovative Multiple Independent Current Control (MICC) technology is designed to help patients cope with their movement disorders. The system’s unique current steering with MICC allows physicians to control the therapeutic current spread. By precise targeting of specific brain areas they can optimise the treatment and minimise unwanted side effects.

“Patients have a very good efficacy of the stimulation, so they reach the best level they can with medication in a very stable therapy, no fluctuations at all”

Professor François Alesch, neurosurgical investigator, Medical University Vienna

Overall, the study shows that the motor skills of patients with a Vercise^TM DBS system improved significantly.¹ This improvement in motor function came along with an improvement in the daily activities of living.² Furthermore, people with Parkinson’s could also reduce their medication intake compared to the time prior to the procedure.³

Parkinson’s Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson’s Europe’s views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson’s Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.