Medical Procedures
Deep brain stimulator alleviates some cerebral palsy tremors
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Cerebral palsy can take many forms, but is almost always caused by some kind of brain injury before, during, or immediately after birth.
Deep Brain Stimulator
One manifestation of the disease is a constant, uncontrollable shaking of the body; involuntary tremors which can become so severe, the patient can actually break their limbs. Cassandra Province, 17, is cerebral palsy patient from California, who experienced exactly that kind of symptom. Wheelchair bound and unable to speak, she began to develop severe body tremors in her early teens.
The shaking was so bad, Province had trouble eating, sleeping, and even just sitting up. Her arms had to be restrained to her wheelchair, because her constant thrashing resulted in broken bones more than once. All medications used to treat these symptoms were ineffective in Province's case. Doctors at UCLA Medical Center realized she required a different solution.
Province was fitted with a deep brain stimulator, a pacemaker like device commonly used to control the tremors of Parkinson's disease patients. Roughly the size of a silver dollar, the stimulator is implanted under the collarbone, with wires that extend up the neck, and eventually into the center of the brain. Electrical charges suppress the part of brain causing the involuntary movements.
Province was one of the very first cerebral palsy patients fitted with the device, and the results were remarkable. Though she still experiences tremors, they have been dramatically reduced.
"Before I had the brain stimulator surgery, I was tired all of the time. I was hurting from all the tremors, and I just wanted to sleep all of the time. With the implants, I got my life back," Province said.
To further control the tremors, Province must periodically visit her doctors at UCLA, in order to have the deep brain stimulator adjusted. This procedure involves using a powerful magnet to fine tune the electronic device directly through Province's skin.
Because the stimulator is intended for use with Parkinson's patients, the treatment of cerebral palsy patients is considered an "off label" use. To date, only a handful of CP patients in the United State and Europe have been treated this way. Doctors at UCLA stress the procedure is only indicated for patients who have failed all traditional medical approaches.
For More Iinformation
UCLA Neurological Services
300 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B200
Box 956975
Los Angeles, CA 90095-6975
Call Diane Lim
(310) 825-6908
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