Neurosurgeons offer new treatments for movement disorders, pain

"Neuromodulation includes deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation as well as targeted drug delivery -- procedures that are minimally invasive and are safe alternative for those suffering from these conditions," said Alon Y. Mogilner, MD, PhD, faculty member, Department of Neurosurgery and director of NYU Langone's Neuromodulation Center.

DBS uses mild electrical stimulation to restore or improve function or reduce pain by correcting abnormal electrical or chemical activity in the brain. A small pulse-generator is inserted just below the skin by a specially-trained neurosurgeon, which transmits pulses through microelectrodes applied to targeted areas in the brain or along nerves known to be associated with the condition. The program generating the pulses can be easily reversed, modified or turned off for periods of time to offer more flexible treatment and measurable results.

The Center specializes in two types of neuromodulation techniques, deep brain stimulation (DBS), an FDA-approved treatment successful for helping patients with complex movement disorders and peripheral neurostimulation (PNS), a growing specialty for potentially treating chronic headaches or severe facial pain -- which can cause disabling psychological, sociological or financial distress and an inability to work or maintain healthy relationships.

The Neuromodulation Center is also conducting research investigating the effectiveness of DBS in treating disorders such as depression and Tourette's syndrome, as well as clinical trials utilizing the latest advantages in technology to better treat Parkinson's disease. Scientists and clinicians anticipate neuromodulation will also result in effective treatment for headache pain, psychiatric disorders and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.