Functional neurosurgery
Functional neurosurgery is a specialized area of neurosurgery that focuses on treating neurological disorders through surgical interventions that target the pathological area and modify the brain’s electrical activity and thereby improving function.
Common Conditions Treated
Functional neurosurgery is used to treat a variety of neurological disorders, including:
A.Movement Disorders:
1 )Parkinson’s Disease: Characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
2) Essential Tremor: A neurological condition causing involuntary shaking.
3) Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements.
B. Epilepsy:
- Particularly in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures cannot be controlled with medication.
C. Chronic Pain:
- Conditions such as neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and other chronic pain syndromes.
D. Psychiatric Disorders:
1) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): When other treatments fail, neurosurgical options may be considered.
2)Depression: In some cases, surgical interventions like VNS may be used.
- Conditions such as neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and other chronic pain syndromes.
- Particularly in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures cannot be controlled with medication.
Common Procedures in Functional Neurosurgery
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)
Stereotactic Surgery
Functional Cortical Mapping