eHealth Connection | Cooper University Hospital

Said to be one of the oldest medical conditions known to humankind, epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, recurrent seizures. The seizures are the result of randomly occurring, usually brief, abnormal electrical surges from a group of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

Because different parts of the brain can be the site of these excessive electrical discharges, seizure types can vary depending on where in the brain the disturbance begins and how far it spreads. Types of seizures include convulsions, muscle spasms, loss of consciousness, and strange sensations, emotions and behavior.

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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers a new option for patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia. This surgical procedure is being done at Cooper University Hospital by our team in the Cooper Neurological Institute.

During DBS surgery, a thin electrode is implanted within a specific area of the brain and connected to a battery-operated neuro-stimulator (similar to a pacemaker). The neuro-stimulator is surgically placed in the chest wall usually one to two weeks after electrode placement. Once in place, the neuro-stimulator(s) are programmed to deliver a mild electrical pulse to the area of the brain that controls the abnormal movements associated with the disorder. By adjusting the stimulation, patients can experience relieved or decreased symptoms of tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, stiffness and balance. Read the full story