Precision Neurosurgery
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or, more commonly, simply Tourette’s or TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane. Tourette’s is defined as part of a spectrum of tic disorders, which includes transient and chronic tics.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or, more commonly, simply Tourette’s or TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane. Tourette’s is defined as part of a spectrum of tic disorders, which includes transient and chronic tics.
Dr. Richard Bittar,
Precision Neurosurgery Director
MBBS (Honours), PhD, FRACS
Dr. Richard Bittar is a highly qualified Australian neurosurgeon and researcher.
Dr. Bittar is a visiting neurosurgeon at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Frankston Hospital, and numerous Private Hospitals in Melbourne. He is also Director of Precision Neurosurgery.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) works by targeting one of several areas in the brain that are part of the movement disorder pathway. By placing a fine wire (electrode) very precisely within the desired area, we are able to introduce a small amount of electrical current to these areas, which causes deactivation of the nerve cells. This electrode is connected to a battery which is implanted under the skin, allowing a small pulse of electricity to be delivered 24 hours a day. The most commonly targeted regions are the subthalamic nucleus (STN), thalamus (Vim), pallidum (GPi), and pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in Parkinson’s disease, the thalamus (Vim) for essential tremor and multiple sclerosis tremor, and the pallidum (GPi) in dystonia.

Precision Neurosurgery is a superspecialty neurosurgical practice which provides expertise in the treatment of a wide range of brain and spine disorders.
Our highly trained surgeons utilise evidence-based scientific and clinical knowledge, considered judgement, refined surgical techniques, and state-of-the-art technology to give patients access to leading edge care.
Our contemporary approach is firmly underpinned by the principles of compassion, humanity and ethics. Having a group of neurosurgeons with specific areas of subspecialisation, complementary skills, and a willingness to work together further facilitates optimal patient care.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Our surgeons possess expertise in a number of areas, including the surgical treatment of:
Brain tumours
Spinal conditions
Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
Depression and OCD

Precision Neurosurgery

Email:
info@precisionneurosurgery.com.au
Principal Precision Neurosurgery
Suite 5, 4th Floor
517 St Kilda Rd
Melbourne, Victoria
www.precisionneurosurgery.com.au
For all appointments please phone:
+61 3 9821 5718

Encoded and uploaded
David Westbrook
www.westymedia.com

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Technorati Tags: brain, BULUSU, David, DBS, DEEP, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, SRINI, STIMULATIONDBS, Syndrome, tourettes, Westbrook, www.westymedia.com

Pioneering therapeutic trials to investigate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in hard-to-treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourettes syndrome are underway at multiple medical centers around the world, according to a review in the June 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Deep brain stimulation has long been seen as valuable for controlling movement disorders, according to the review, written by Susannah Tye, Ph.D., Mark Frye, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, and Kendall Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Department of Neurosurgery. It now is being investigated for hard-to-treat psychiatric disorders, according to the authors.

Early results indicate the effect on depression and obsessive compulsive disorder is beneficial, but the therapy needs further study, Dr. Lee says. The potential for this breakthrough treatment is enormous in reducing the toll of mental illness on patients, their families and society, according to the review. Unlike electroshock therapy (ECT), which stimulates the entire brain, DBS stimulates specific parts of the brain. DBS is thought to be functionally equivalent to creating a lesion on the brain, but with the advantage of being adjustable and reversible.

It is like implanting a pacemaker for the brain, says Dr. Lee. The patient is awake during deep brain stimulation surgery while a neurosurgeon implants the electrodes. Patients are able to give immediate feedback. Additionally, patients do not feel any pain during the implantation procedure since the brain is without pain receptors.

In the developed world, major depression is second only to cardiovascular disease in premature mortality and time lived with disability according to the review. In persons aged 15 to 44 years, depression is the most disabling medical illness in the United States. The prevalence of major depression, known to be a chronic and relapsing illness, is approximately 17 percent, affecting almost 1 in 5 persons.

Medications and psychiatric therapy can effectively treat many patients with major depression; however, up to 20 percent of these patients fail to respond to these non-surgical therapeutic interventions.
DBS is not a miracle cure and should not be used to treat all depression, says Dr. Lee. It should be reserved for those patients who have treatment-resistant depression, and approved by a multi-disciplinary team. Ongoing advances in DBS technologies represent an important new field that could greatly advance the understanding of psychiatric neurobiology, according to the review.

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Technorati Tags: brain, BULUSU, David, DBS, DEEP, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, SRINI, STIMULATIONDBS, Syndrome, tourettes, Westbrook, www.westymedia.com

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or, more commonly, simply Tourette’s or TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane. Tourette’s is defined as part of a spectrum of tic disorders, which includes transient and chronic tics.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or, more commonly, simply Tourette’s or TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane. Tourette’s is defined as part of a spectrum of tic disorders, which includes transient and chronic tics.

Duration : 0:5:40

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Technorati Tags: brain, BULUSU, David, DBS, DEEP, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, SRINI, STIMULATIONDBS, Syndrome, tourettes, Westbrook, www.westymedia.com

This astonishing video shows the story of Jeff Matovic, the first guy in America who received a DBS treatment for Tourette Syndrome.

Questo filmato ripercorre la vicenda di Jeff Matovic, il primo paziente in America su cui sia stata sperimentata la Stimolazione Cerebrale Profonda (DBS) per curare i sintomi della sindrome di Tourette.

Duration : 0:5:40

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Technorati Tags: brain, BULUSU, David, DBS, DEEP, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, SRINI, STIMULATIONDBS, Syndrome, tourettes, Westbrook, www.westymedia.com