Selectieve diepe hersenstimulatie: tijd en ruimte voor verandering? (DBS SELECT)

The project seeks to leverage innovative neuromodulation technology to improve the management of movement disorders by: 1) valorising a new selective DBS stimulation strategy that builds on existing, but underexploited, neuromodulation hardware; and 2) creating a new education platform targeted at potential DBS patients and their caregivers. A clear and swift route to market is ensured because the hardware to deliver the new selective DBS already exists and already has regulatory approval for patient use. Improved education will lead to market growth.

Work will include:

• Developing the tools and support to do the clinical studies, including creating an artefact-free neural recording device, which will be a new product for the research market.
• Evaluating the effect of complex pulse shapes in ten movement disorder patients and comparing them to standard pulse shapes, to better understand the neural mechanisms behind selective DBS.
• Evaluating the effect of directional stimulation in ten movement disorder patients in a clinical setting and comparing them to standard DBS, and optimising a visualisation software program in order to find the optimal stimulation settings, based on imaging.
• Designing an interactive education platform targeted at potential DBS patients, their families and healthcare professionals.
• Valorising the best selective DBS strategies in five patients, as a first step towards rolling out selective DBS to all patients.