Abbott, one of the manufacturers of deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices for Parkinson’s disease (PD) recently released NeuroSphereTM Virtual Clinic, a technology that allows for virtual visits between patients and their DBS neurologist and is the first system to allow for remote programming of the DBS device.
Currently, a device can be programmed so that a person with a DBS system in place can choose between a few different settings which they can change on their own at home. This flexibility allows a patient to have some degree of autonomy over their settings and prevents the person with PD from having to go to the doctor’s office for every small change. The new system takes this a step further and allows for a virtual conversation with the doctor followed by more extensive remote changes in the device settings – over the internet. This will serve to pre-empt even more in-person visits, which can be especially helpful for people who live a far distance from their DBS neurologist, and/or have mobility issues that make such visits more challenging.
APDA offers many helpful resources about DBS:
- Advances in DBS: In this recent edition of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, we speak to Dr. Alan Mogilner, an expert in DBS, about the recent advances in DBS technology.
- The ABCs of DBS: In this webinar, you’ll learn what DBS is, hear more about who is a candidate for deep brain stimulation, what’s new in the field as it relates to DBS, and more.
- Overview of DBS: This fact sheet is a quick and easy starting point – a great way for you to learn more and get reliable information about DBS treatment.
- Updates on PD Treatments, including DBS: A recent webinar in our “Spotlight” series, Spotlight on Parkinson’s Disease: What’s New in PD Treatment reviews the latest in all PD treatments, including developments in DBS treatment.
- DBS Research to help gait and balance: APDA-funded researcher Dr. Aasef G. Shaikh is working hard to develop a DBS-based therapeutic approach to improve balance, gait and postural instability in PD. Learn more about his exciting research (that even uses a machine used by NASA to train astronauts!) and what fuels his passion for his work.