Gian Pal, MD, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, shares the latest advances in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders, including innovations in lead development, battery improvement, and remote programming. Dr Pal explains that lead segmentation allows the current distribution to be adjusted and directed more specifically, helping to maximize the outcomes and minimize side-effects associated with stimulation. Regarding IPG improvement, a battery that can sense signals from the brain is currently under development. Dr Pal hopes that the battery will be able to use those signals to tailor stimulation in the future. Lastly, advances in programming have also impacted the field. Especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to find ways to deliver care to DBS patients efficiently and safely. A remote programming platform, which allows the clinician to program the patient’s DBS settings remotely, has recently received FDA approval. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Annual Meeting.
