The local health department of São João in Porto has begun installing advanced brain implants on selected patients with Parkinson’s disease, among other diseases. Functional Neurosurgery Coordinator Clara Chamadoira Luse said the “first modern brain implant installed in Portugal” was installed in February on a patient under 60 years of age. “We already have approval to allocate additional doses to selected priority patients or those who the team believes will benefit from the benefits of this device,” he explained. This is a rechargeable deep brain stimulation (DBS) device that allows you to collect recordings of brain activity for personalized therapy.
The implant is placed in the brain and connected to a chest-mounted battery that resembles half a credit card. Loading is carried out through a belt worn over the chest area. Charging is faster than other neurostimulators on the market, resulting in a longer lifespan and avoiding the need for new replacement surgery for up to 15 years. As part of World Parkinson’s Day, the University of Porto’s Faculty of Science announced that researchers at the institution are working on a new drug that is “more effective and has fewer side effects.”