HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has become the first hospital in Pennsylvania and one of only 23 in the nation to offer BrainSense adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), an advanced treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
BrainSense aDBS is the first deep brain stimulation (DBS) system that continuously monitors a patient’s brain activity and automatically adjusts stimulation in real-time. This innovation may improve symptom control and reduce side effects, enhancing overall quality of life for patients, according to Sol De Jesus, movement disorder neurologist and co-director of the Penn State Health Deep Brain Stimulation Program.
“This new technology allows for much more individualized treatment," De Jesus said. "It enhances an already effective therapy by offering new insights into an individual’s evolving symptoms, potentially reducing the need for manual adjustments.”
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has been using DBS since 2004 to treat neurological disorders. The treatment involves implanting a small neurostimulator under the skin of the chest or abdomen, which sends electrical signals to targeted brain areas through implanted leads. These signals help block abnormal nerve activity that causes debilitating Parkinson’s symptoms.
In 2020, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center adopted the Percept PC Neurostimulator. BrainSense aDBS is the next advancement, equipping the Percept device with adaptive technology. Both were developed by Medtronic and are available to current Percept neurostimulator users and new DBS-eligible patients with Parkinson’s.
“This technology represents a major step forward for Parkinson’s treatment,” said James McInerney, neurosurgeon and co-director of the Penn State Health Deep Brain Stimulation Program. “Patients no longer have to wait for manual adjustments or worry about symptom fluctuations throughout the day.”
The DBS program is part of the specialized resources available at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center through the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. The institute integrates neuroscience research, education, community outreach and health care delivery, fostering collaboration across these areas. More information about the program can be found here.