By JENNIFER DIAL
St. Vincent, Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – Dr. Albert Lee, neurosurgeon with Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, St. Vincent, Indianapolis, is the first in Indiana – and among a select group of physicians in the United States – trained in a new surgical procedure by Medtronic called deep brain stimulation therapy for advanced Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and cervical dystonia.

The therapy helps reduce some symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease or tremors by allowing patients to achieve long-term relief. St. Vincent, Indianapolis, is a member of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic, not-for profit hospital system.

During DBS surgery, electrodes are implanted in the brain to deliver electrical impulses. The electrode emits pulses of energy to block the abnormal activity in the brain that causes the symptoms of movement in neurological disorders. The success of DBS surgery is directly related to finding the specific area in the brain to stimulate.

The deep brain stimulation offers patients relief from the tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and stiffness and may help balance problems associated with their conditions. The stimulation can be adjusted as a patient’s condition changes over time.

Medtronic DBS Therapy uses a surgical implanted medical device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, to deliver electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas of the brain to reduce some of the most disabling motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease or Tremors, including shaking, stiffness and movement difficulties. The stimulation can be programmed and adjusted by a clinician to maximize treatment benefits. Dr. Michael Sermersheim, neurologist at Josephson Wallack and Munshower, St. Vincent, Indianapolis, is one of a few neurologists in Indiana trained to program the DBS device post-surgery.

Rhonda Walls, 46, Carmel, has experienced tremors since her mid-20s, which have been worsening through the years. Walls, who had been predominantly right-handed, struggled to complete everyday tasks like eating, brushing her teeth, writing and typing. B-roll of Walls attempting these daily tasks prior to surgery and footage of the DBS device being turned on for the first time is available. In the video, Walls, while surrounded by family, sees for the first time in years the shakes in her arms and neck coming to an almost-complete stop.

Health reports that essential tremor is often reported to be among the most prevalent of movement disorders, yet the precise numbers of cases in the nation are not known. It is estimated that there are anywhere from 6.3 million to 7.6 million people in the United States who suffer from essential tremors.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, at least 500,000 people suffer from Parkinson’s disease in the United States and about 50,000 new cases are reported annually.

For more information, call the JWM office at St. Vincent Indianapolis at (317) 806-6991 or Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine at (317) 396-1300.