Brain Stimulation System Changes Treatment of Neurological Diseases

A novel deep brain stimulation (DBS) system could enable the sensing and recording of select brain activity, while simultaneously providing targeted therapy.

The Medtronic Activa PC+S DBS System delivers DBS Therapy while at the same time sensing and recording electrical activity in key areas of the brain using sensing technology and an adjustable algorithm, enabling the system to gather brain signals at various selected moments. The new technology will be first be made available to select physicians worldwide for use in clinical studies, who will use the system to map the brain's responses to DBS therapy and explore applications for the therapy across a range of neurological and psychological conditions.


The DBS therapy uses a surgically implanted medical device, similar to a pacemaker, to deliver mild electrical pulses to precisely targeted areas. The stimulation can be programmed and adjusted noninvasively to maximize symptom control and minimize side effects. The new Activa PC+S system was implanted for the first time at Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany) in a patient with Parkinson's disease (PD). The Medtronic Activa PC+S DBS System is a product of Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

“DBS therapy works for people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, but there is much to learn about how the brain responds to the therapy," said neurologist Kai Bötzel, MD, who implanted the first system. “This new system will allow us to treat patients with conventional DBS therapy, while at the same time opening the door for research that was not possible until now. We hope these insights will lead to the development of effective new treatments tailored to the needs of individuals.”

“Medtronic is excited to provide this new system to researchers worldwide, and we expect that their respective studies will lead to accelerated understanding of how neurological and psychological conditions develop and progress,” said Lothar Krinke, PhD, vice president and general manager of the DBS business in Medtronic's neuromodulation division. “This represents a significant milestone for DBS therapy and the long-term journey toward a closed-loop DBS system, which could personalize therapy by using device data to automatically adjust to the needs of individual patients.”

Related Links:
Ludwig Maximilians University
Medtronic