Newcastle hospital one of just four in the world to use brain implant to treat Parkinson's

People in the North East with Parkinson's are among the first in the world to have access to a radical new brain implant to manage their symptoms.

Patients like Sunderland's Kevin Hill - a retired HGV driver who has been living with the condition since 2017 - have already benefitted from "deep brain stimulation" technology operated through implants in their brain and a tiny computer in their chest. This technology, known as Brainsense, uses electrical messages to manage a patient's symptoms.

But until now, once set up, a patient has had to return to hospital to have the level of support adjusted as their needs change - and someone's Parkinson's symptoms can vary based on factors which even include stress.

The technology will work based on the implant Kevin already has and it will be switched on this week. He said: "Before the implant I suffered badly with tremors which affected my sleep and gave me terrible pains in my shoulders, arms and legs. It also affected me mentally - I became really self-conscious and withdrew from socialising or seeing other people.

“The medication I was on wasn’t really working and I also had to give up my job. When I was referred for deep brain stimulation, I was told it could take a while to have an impact but I had a great response and the improvement was instant.

“It has changed my life and completely removed my tremors, aches and pains. I’ve got more flexibility in my joints and my sleep is much less disturbed. I’m enjoying life again, seeing people, playing snooker and getting out on my bike.

"To know that I’m going to benefit even more from having the latest version of the technology is just fantastic."

Consultant neurosurgeon Akbar Hussain's passion for the technology has helped Newcastle to be at the forefront of its roll-out. He said: “Each individual's experience of Parkinson's disease is different and unique to them. Symptoms and needs change over time, as the disease progresses, but they can also change within the course of a day.

“Newcastle was one of the first hospitals in the UK to use the current Brainsense™ technology – which senses a person’s response to brain stimulation and therapy. Our expertise and experience using this system means we’re now one of the first places in the world to be able to move to the next level and offer the latest adaptive technology to patients."

Mr Hussain - who featured in TV show Geordie Hospital - added that the automated nature of the technology was "amazing". He continued: "The amazing thing about the adaptive version is that the electrical impulses provided to the brain by the device are controlled and adjusted automatically, according to individual patient’s recordings from the device in their chest.

“The biological signals generated within the person themselves are enough to alter the treatment given by the implant. These changes could be taking place by the minute or hour, meaning the treatment is truly responsive to the exact needs of each individual. I’m really excited and proud that we’re able to offer this to our patients."

The technology is manufactured by health-tech firm Medtronic. Amaza Reitmeier - a vice-president there - said the "enhanced" technology meant "patients with Parkinson's [will be able to] spend less time thinking about their disease".

Around 153,000 people in the UK are living with Parkinson's disease. The progressive neurological disorder impacts the brain and nervous system and can cause a range of issues including tremors, muscle stiffness that makes it hard to move, and impaired balance and co-ordination. Other issues it causes can include digestive problems, sleep disturbances, and mental health distress.