Deep Brain Stimulation Benefits UAE Patients Affected by Parkinson’s Disease

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Provides Deep Brain Stimulation as Innovative New Treatment

​Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, has introduced deep brain stimulation to the UAE, providing Parkinson’s disease patients with a treatment that can help them manage the symptoms and reduce their dependence on medication. 

James, an American expatriate in his 50s, was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 42, significantly earlier than the global average of 56 years old. Unlike the traditional image of Parkinson’s disease, he did not experience tremors. Instead, James felt stiff, slow, and had difficulty walking. Following his diagnosis, he began taking medication to manage his symptoms. 

By the time he was 54, the severity of his symptoms increased, and the medication was losing its effectiveness, forcing him to increase the amount he took every day.

“I would begin to seize up and find myself unable to move while I waited for my medication to take effect. I remember it got to the point where I stopped eating so that food in my stomach wouldn’t interfere with the absorption. I was in a really tough situation and knew I needed to do something urgently,” says James. 

Last year, James visited Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi where he was informed the hospital had begun evaluating patients for deep brain stimulation, a surgical procedure that uses electrodes implanted in the brain to control Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Following a comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary panel, including a speech and physical therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist and neurosurgeon, the care team considered James a good candidate for the surgery.

“The goal of Parkinson’s disease treatment is to improve a patient’s quality of life, helping them to keep moving and live an active life. As it is a progressive condition, the longer a patient has the disease the worse their symptoms become. Deep brain stimulation not only allows us to control symptoms throughout the day, it reduces a person’s reliance on medication,” says Dr. Shivam Om Mittal​, Consultant neurologist, Section Head for Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. 

Following his Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, his care team prepared to begin the complex process of tuning the electrodes implanted in his brain to block the rogue signals causing his symptoms.  This required several visits to the movement disorders clinic at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for fine tuning and programming of the DBS device. Once properly configured, James was able to significantly reduce his medication and has returned to work.

“It has been a transformation. I’m able to move a lot better, I go for walks now and I am eating normally. I’m back at work and really feel like I have my life back,” says James. 

Globally, Parkinson’s disease affects around 7 million people. However, doctors have warned that the number of cases will double by 2040 as the world’s population ages. 

“James is one of a small percentage of patients around the world with early onset Parkinson’s disease, although the numbers are growing. These are the patients who will see the greatest benefit from this surgery as their symptoms will have a lot more time to progress,” concludes Dr. Mittal.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Neurological Institute offers a multidisciplinary approach to patients with movement disorders. The team includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, physical therapist, speech therapists, and psychologists in order to cater to each patient’s specific needs. 

For more information or to book an appointment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, call 800 8 CCAD (2223) visit www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae or download the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi app.