Deep Brain Stimulation: A New Treatment Shows Promise in the Most Difficult Cases

by Jamie Talan

There are disorders that defy treatment with prescribed a man’s hands shake so hard that he cannot hold anything; a woman is mired in severe inescapable depression. For these patients and others, an alternative is deep brain stimulation. In this fascinating and timely investigation, well-known science writer Jamie Talan explains a cutting-edge medical development that is surprising and impressing researchers around the world. More than 40,000 people worldwide have undergone deep brain stimulation, which involves implanting electrodes in the brain that are connected to a device similar to a pacemaker. With compelling profiles of patients and an introduction to doctors and scientists who are pioneering the research, Talan describes the ways in which deep brain stimulation has produced promising results in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dystonia—as well as the ethical issues that have arisen in the course of this research.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2009

Reviews

[Vonia]

It was informative... I have decided to forgo this option in my life right now, but the information provided by Talan was very nice to acquire for future reference.... She addressed the use of Deep Brain Stimulation, as well as several other neurological surgeries, across many different needs, from Depression to Parkinson's to the Unconscious. It was researched and essential for anyone interested in the procedure, knows someone who is, or is simply interested in our most intriguing body part.

[Pamh1955]

As a fatigue-resistant depressant I read anything that might be considered new and offer me some hope. More needs to be done in this area before this practice reaches people like me. However, overall, it was a very interesting book.