Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for a number of years to treat a variety of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease. Dr Terry Coyne, Briz Brain & Spine neurosurgeon, and neurologist Prof Peter Silburn, are considered world-leaders in the procedure having performed over 1000 of these delicate operations.

DBS involves the insertion of electrodes into very specific areas of the brain to stimulate brain activity, which in the case of Parkinson’s disease, helps to relieve symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, freezing and slowness. The electrodes are powered by a battery device that is inserted into the patient’s chest.

The technology, which has also been used to treat the symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome previously, has recently been trialled as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) by scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI). In the OCD trial of nine patients that was conducted over an 18 month period, Dr Coyne and Prof Silburn inserted electrodes into the area of the brain associated with rewards and emotions. The trial was considered an overwhelming success with seven out of the nine participants showing a marked improvement in their symptoms and decreased compulsions.

Based on these results, QBI is now trialling DBS as a treatment for anorexia nervosa in patients who have not responded to other treatments. Director of QBI Prof Pankaj Sah, said the new study aims to treat 10 patients over an 18 month period with three patients having already undergone DBS with Dr Coyne and Prof Silburn.

It is hoped that the anorexia trial will also yield positive results so that the technology can be implemented as another anorexia nervosa treatment option and also be made available to a wider range of patients including those with other psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety and addiction.

Visit QBI to find out more about the trial or to learn more about DBS and Dr Terry Coyne, click here.