First brain pacemaker against Parkinson's: Hope for those affected in Würzburg!

First brain pacemaker against Parkinson's: Hope for those affected in Würzburg!

In a significant progress for the treatment of Parkinson's, a team from Würzburg in mid -June 2025 implanted a new brain pacemaker in Germany for the first time in Germany. The intervention concerned a 69-year-old patient and marks a milestone in deep brain stimulation (THS), which is considered long-term therapy for advanced Parkinson's diseases. This innovative electrode has 16 contacts and thus enables more precise and individually customizable stimulation of the brain, which could significantly improve the treatment options for those affected. According to Gesundheitsinformation.de emphasized

A look back shows: In 1993 the bilateral THS was used for the first time in Germany, and since then several thousand patients have been treated worldwide. Due to the electrical and neurochemical effect on specific target areas in the brain, symptoms in the advanced stage of the disease and even in the early stages can be significantly alleviated or even delayed. As the Hirnstiftung , the THS is not only limited to Parkinson's, but is also used for dystonia, essential tremor and in studies in other diseases such as Alzheimer's.

future of therapy

The challenges of the treatment are still significant. The THS is symptomatic and cannot stop the progression of the disease. Regular checks are necessary to optimally adjust the stimulation. In order to determine whether the THS is suitable for a patient, experts have developed the "5-2-1" rule that gives a clear indication for treatment, how often patients need oral levodopa medication and from what symptoms they suffer.

With current progress in THS technology, hope for improving the quality of life and symptom control for Parkinson's patients is closer. The latest developments in particular show that research in this area is still very popular and there are still many opportunities on the way to better treatment of this challenging disease.