Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad leading the way in Parkinson’s treatment with deep brain stimulation

The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad is stepping up its efforts to improve the quality of life for patients battling Parkinson’s disease through advanced treatment options and comprehensive care.
| Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, is stepping up its efforts to improve the quality of life for patients battling Parkinson’s disease through advanced treatment options and comprehensive care. With a dedicated Movement Disorder Clinic and support from government health schemes, NIMS is transforming outcomes for those affected by the neurological condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects movement and motor control. Although medical advancements have improved patient outcomes, the disease still poses everyday challenges, including tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness and balance issues. Non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances further complicate life for patients and caregivers.

“Parkinson’s disease can be managed effectively with timely medication and surgical options like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), allowing patients to lead active lives,” says Sireesha Yareeda, additional professor and senior neurologist at NIMS. She underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to improve long-term outcomes.

DBS, a key treatment offered at NIMS, is typically recommended after 3 to 4 years of medication therapy when drugs begin to lose effectiveness or cause troubling side effects. The procedure involves implanting electrodes in targeted areas of the brain, which are then connected to a battery placed in the chest wall. This stimulation helps manage symptoms with minimal surgical risks, thanks to refined techniques in use at the institute, says Dr.Sireesha.

Yerramneni Vamsi Krishna, professor and head of neurosurgery at NIMS, adds that some patients may benefit from ablation procedures, where a small, specific area of the brain is lesioned using heat to further enhance quality of life.

The Movement Disorder Clinic at NIMS caters not just to Parkinson’s but also to related disorders such as dystonia and tremors. Importantly, the inclusion of DBS under Telangana government health schemes like Aarogyasri and Employee Health Scheme has made this advanced surgery more accessible. Since August 2024, more than 93 patients have undergone DBS at NIMS under these schemes.