Doctors Put Hope in Thin Wires for a Life in Epilepsy’s Clutches

May 24, 2004 | Source: New York Times

Deep-brain stimulators (“pacemakers for the brain”) are at the forefront of research by neuroscientists seeking to treat a variety of difficult conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and other types of tremors and movement disorders.

Conditions may eventually include depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette’s syndrome.

The devices inhibit syncronized nerve impulses in parts of the brain that are too active.