Jerrold L. Vitek, MD, PhD: Multiple Independent Contact Current-Controlled DBS Technology

“You get a lot of options in terms of shaping the current field. The structures we put them in are not like a big circle—they have a geometric shape—and then wherever your lead ends up, you may want a smaller or bigger ball [of current]. It gives you that flexibility.”

Recently, Jerrold L. Vitek, MD, PhD, professor and head, department of neurology, University of Minnesota, and colleagues, conducted a study assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of Boston Scientific’s Vercise deep brain stimulation (DBS) system, which utilizes multiple independent contact current-controlled (MICC) technology, in 191 patients with Parkinson disease and motor symptoms.

Dubbed INTREPID (NCT01839396), the study showed that from post-implantation baseline to 3 months post-randomization, the difference in mean change in increased on time without troublesome dyskinesias between the active (n = 121) and control (n = 39) groups was 3.03 hours (standard deviation [SD], 4.52; 95% CI, 1.3—4.7; P <.0001). The findings offer class I evidence that the method is safe and effective in the treatment of the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.

To find out more about the device itself and how this MICC technology can offer clinicians more than standard DBS tech, NeurologyLive reached out to Vitek. He shared his insight into the advantage that current control provides, and how it differs from what has been utilized in the past.

REFERENCE

Vitek JL, Jain R, Chen L, et al. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation with a multiple independent constant current-controlled device in Parkinson's disease (INTREPID): a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study. Lancet Neurol. 2020;19(6):491-501. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30108-3