Neurostimulation

Certain types of neurological diseases which affect the Central or Autonomous Nervous system are very difficult to treat. Neurostimulation is a Deep Brain Stimulation technique that generates pulses of electricity in the brain in order to stimulate certain areas.

For example, surgery for Parkinson's disease was eschewed in favor of Levodopa that increased Dopamine levels. However, due to the side effects, as well as modern advances in surgery, Neurostimulation is proving to be an effective treatment. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has given it's approval for Neurostimulation to be used as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

The technique is also used in the treatment of Partial-Onset Epilepsy under the branch of treatment called Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The device is usually implanted beneath the collar bone of the patient, and the battery needs to be changed about once every three years or so.

The electrical stimulation is delivered via a battery called an Implanted Pulse Generator (IPG). Depending on the technology use, the battery can even be charged from the outside of the body and is called a Rechargeable IPG.

All in all, Neurostimulation is still in it's early years, and one can be sure that growth in this type of treatment will be rapid. In fact, the projected market in the year 2012 is slated to be over $5.2 Billion.