Mumbai doctor publishes study validating brain surgery to help treat Parkinson's 

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In a major advancement for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, a Mumbai-based doctor has published groundbreaking research that could help make a particular surgery more accurate, personalised and safer for thousands of patients around the world.

The research in published in the internationally reputed, peer-reviewed journal Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, by Dr Paresh Doshi, director of Functional Neurosurgery at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has found that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. The city-based hospital says it is among the first real-world clinical studies to validate a reliable method for accurately determining the orientation of directional Deep Brain Stimulation electrodes after surgery.

What is the Deep Brain Stimulation?

Deep Brain Stimulation has emerged as one of the most effective treatments for patients whose Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor and certain other movement disorders are no longer adequately controlled with medication. During the procedure, thin electrodes are implanted in carefully selected areas of the brain to deliver controlled electrical impulses that help regulate abnormal brain activity responsible for tremors, stiffness and involuntary movements.

Today’s advanced DBS systems use directional electrodes, which enable doctors to steer electrical stimulation towards the precise brain region requiring treatment while avoiding nearby areas that may produce unwanted side effects. However, this technology can deliver its full benefits only when the exact orientation of these electrodes is known after surgery.

Presently, doctors rely on commercially available softwares to inform them about the orientation of the electrodes. Surprisingly, these were being used without any real life clinical validation. The Jaslok study addresses this important gap.

Know more about the Parkison’s treatment study

Conducted prospectively between 2022 and 2024, the research evaluated 70 directional DBS electrodes implanted in 35 patients. The study compared two different imaging techniques used after surgery to determine electrode orientation. The findings showed that rotational fluoroscopy, interpreted using the “Iron Sights Method”, demonstrated excellent reliability and closely matched the results generated by specialised CT-based planning software that is widely used internationally.

This allows neurologists and neurosurgeons to program DBS devices with greater precision, ultimately helping patients receive more effective symptom relief while minimising stimulation-related side effects.

Beyond validating a technology, the study strengthens evidence-based clinical practice by helping doctors make better-informed programming decisions after surgery. It also provides reassurance that patients can benefit from highly accurate image-guided DBS programming using dependable postoperative imaging techniques.

Speaking about the significance of the research, Dr Doshi said, “Deep Brain Stimulation has transformed the quality of life of patients living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The effectiveness of this therapy depends not only on precise surgical implantation but also on accurately identifying the final orientation of the electrode after surgery. Our study provides robust clinical evidence that this imaging technique can reliably confirm electrode orientation, enabling clinicians to programme the device with greater confidence. This ultimately supports more personalised therapy, better symptom control and the possibility of reducing treatment-related side effects, thereby improving patients’ quality of life.”

Among the many specialists in India, Dr Doshi is widely recognised as one of India’s pioneers in functional neurosurgery and has been instrumental in advancing Deep Brain Stimulation in the country for more than two decades.