? ? Deep brain stimulation may be used to treat a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. For treatment in patients with Parkinsons' disease it is necessary to place the electrode precisely within the center of the target nucleus. Precise electrode placement provides optimal therapeutic results while minimizing possible side effects. Currently, the final coordinates for the electrode is determined by electrophysiological mapping. It is a slow, painstaking process not without potential complications. We propose to develop and evaluate two procedures to compliment current microelectrode mapping procedure. A fiberoptic-based probe will be employed to optically map the boundaries of the STN and GPi using only a single electrode tract. We also propose to develop a method to detect blood vessel using fiber sensors as part of the microelectrode assembly. ? ? Besides a role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, the methods to be developed may be applied to stereotactic brain procedures for other neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, it could be used to more precisely guide the biopsy of deep seated brain lesions. It could be used to more safely guide the placement of depth electrode for the diagnosis and treatment of refractory seizures. And optically guided stimulating electrodes may someday be used to treat depression and other psychological disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS044627-03
Application #
6791401
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-A (02))
Program Officer
Pancrazio, Joseph J
Project Start
2002-08-15
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2004-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$352,688
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Jafri, M Samir; Farhang, Suzanne; Tang, Rebecca S et al. (2005) Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. J Biomed Opt 10:051603