The Louis Pasteur University Hospital (UNLP) in Košice has become the first hospital in Slovakia—and one of the first in Europe—to introduce a new treatment method for patients with Parkinson’s disease this year. The innovation, known as adaptive neurostimulation, uses specialized software to individualize therapy for each patient, hospital spokeswoman Ladislava Šustová announced.
“Our clinic now offers patients what only the most advanced centers in the world provide—adaptive brain stimulation, which can tailor the treatment precisely to each patient’s needs,” said Professor Matej Škorvánek of the UNLP Neurology Clinic.
Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, and its prevalence continues to increase worldwide. “The risk rises not only with age but also due to environmental factors—chemical substances, pesticides, or infections,” explained Škorvánek.
The foundation of treatment remains regular physical activity and pharmacotherapy. Dopamine-based medications supplement the missing neurotransmitter dopamine and can effectively relieve symptoms, especially during the early stages of the disease.
When conventional treatment is no longer sufficient, UNLP offers two forms of advanced therapy—infusion pump therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS). “Surgery is considered only when the expected benefits outweigh the risks. We carefully select and evaluate patients. Not all meet the criteria, but those who do can significantly benefit from this modern procedure,” Škorvánek noted.
Deep brain stimulation is one of the most advanced treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. At UNLP, doctors are increasingly using adaptive stimulation for patients who do not respond to traditional fixed stimulation. The adaptive method automatically adjusts to brain activity, providing more precise therapy. Unlike standard stimulation, which delivers a constant current, adaptive stimulation responds dynamically to the patient’s momentary needs.
“We implant the electrodes while the patient is awake, so we can observe the effects of stimulation on movement and detect any side effects. During the procedure, the patient performs simple tasks—moving their hands or reciting the months of the year—while we look for the so-called therapeutic window, where stimulation is both effective and safe,” the specialist explained.
Once the optimal position of the electrodes is confirmed, doctors permanently connect them to a neurostimulator implanted under the skin. This step is performed under general anesthesia. The stimulators can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable and can be adjusted independently for each side of the brain. A major advantage in recent years has been the introduction of segmented electrodes, which allow more precise targeting of electrical currents and reduce side effects. Patients are usually discharged within a few days after surgery, and the stimulator is activated three to four weeks later.
“The neurostimulator doesn’t stop the disease, but when properly indicated, it gives patients years of quality life,” added Škorvánek. According to him, adaptive stimulation, combined with rehabilitation and speech therapy, can delay the advanced stages of the disease and help patients remain independent for as long as possible.
Source: TASR
