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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
        
(Message started by: Not4Hire on May 17^th, 2003, 10:19am)

Title: Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
Post by Not4Hire on May 17^th, 2003, 10:19am

...got this off the Spanish (Spain) CH site: regarding electrode implant to the hypothalamus. My translation skills are not that great, but the gist of it is that it works, but that the CH moves from one side to the other. The solution may be to implant two electrodes. It goes on to say that the operation involves opening the skull for 4 hours without anesthetic. (!) This is due to the delicate and exact placement of the electrode. The operation is not painful due to the absence of nerves in the area of the brain.

It goes on to say that, in this area of the brain, are the pleasure centers and one female patient experienced orgasms, dreams, a CH attack, and temporary blindness in one eye until the electrode was placed correctly.

It also said that a similar procedure has been performed in the US with an electrode placed in the neck and that it will take up to 2 years to know if the operation is successful. Here's the text in Spanish and a link:

http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/tratamientos_cluster_headache/

Mensaje: 1
Fecha: Thu, 15 May 2003 19:11:27 -0000
De: clusterheadachea
Asunto: Cirugía

Aunque personalmente no creo demasiado en las soluciones al CH que pasan por la cirujía, por si a alguien le pudiera interesar, os transcribo (textual) un extracto de dos mensaje, publicados en los últimos días en el foro de Melodysoft, en los cuales se habla de una de estas técnicas que se ha probado recientemente:

"...una técnica desarrollada en Italia por el Instituto Besta en Milan (Dr. Leone) Estimulación Stereotática del Hipotálamo.
Es un electrodo implantado en el hipotálamo con un marca paso externo. Se hicieron 9 operaciones (una en un español) y los resultados fueron satisfactorios.
Pero.....hay un pero.... la operación (generalmente) inicia un ciclo cluster sobre el otro lado!!! Por lo que ahora están pensando implantar 2 electrodos (uno del lado izquierdo y otro del derecho).
Secundariamente, es una operación con algo de riesgo (abren el cráneo por 4 horas, y sin anestesia!). Entonces operan solo los casos crónicos, y sin otra forma médica para reducir el dolor.
En Estados Unidos están intentando hacer la misma estimulación AFUERA (en el nervio del cuello). Parece que da buenos resultados. Pero tendremos que esperar al menos un par de años para el final de
la prueba...".

"...La anestesia no es posible, porque se debe localizar el punto exacto en donde implantar el electrodo.

Pero lo bueno (según explicó la última chica que se someíó a la operación) es que no produce dolor (no hay nervios en esa zona) y tampoco en el cerebro.

Además, el punto exacto está muy cerca de la zona del placer, y (de verdad!) ella experimentó un orgasmo antes de localizar el punto correcto para insertar el electrodo :-)

Ehem..... para ser honesto... ella también experimentó un ataque de CH, uno de sueño, una momentánea pérdida de visión en un ojo...

No es demasiado recomendable para aquellos que teneis dificultades para alcanzar el climax.... :-)"

Saludos a todos,

Title: Re: Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
Post by KingOfPain on May 17^th, 2003, 11:07am

on 05/17/03 at 10:19:35, Not4Hire wrote:

It goes on to say that the operation involves opening the skull for 4 hours without anesthetic. (!)

on 05/17/03 at 10:19:35, Not4Hire wrote:

The operation is not painful due to the absence of nerves in the area of the brain.

Huh? ???

You still have nerves/feeling in your skin & skull/bone.

Guess I missed something.

Thanks for the info Not4Hire.

KingOfPain

Title: Re: Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
Post by Bob P on May 17^th, 2003, 11:33am

Here's a link to the US translation:
http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/hypothalamus/wire_in_brain.htm

Title: Re: Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
Post by KingOfPain on May 17^th, 2003, 11:48am

Thank you BobP.

KingOfPain

Title: it's alive!
Post by rumplestiltskin on May 17^th, 2003, 11:57pm

I wrote Doc Dodrick, the US guy that's doin some implants, askin him to PULEEZE ask his patient(s) to come here and report on their results. He was very receptive....but the silence is deafening.

Certainly the initial reports were positive....you know their doin it on many more folks...where's the news? Who are these nameless wired for comfort Clusterheads? We are very high profile....this would be the logical place to spread the word.....IF it was positive.

Still waiting.

Good Grief
Den

Title: Re: Electrode Implant-hypothalamus
Post by Bob P on May 19^th, 2003, 8:26am

Rump,

The implant that Dodick does is different than this hypothalamic implant. Dodick does one that stimulates the occipital nerve. I too spoke with Dodick. Just by chance, Doc Robinson, who spoke at the vancouver convention, was telling Dodick about OUCH the day before so he was aware of our existance. He said he was happy to form a working relationship with him. I have referred on chronic from NY to Dodick and he has agreed to see the chronic and evaluate his possibilities for the proceedure. The guys wife has promised to keep in touch and let me know how it all goes.

I think Dodick would be very willing to work with us if we could take the lead and figure out what we need that he could help with.

Title: wiring diagrams
Post by rumplestiltskin on May 21^st, 2003, 6:39am

akay....so...how many variations of electrode implants for Clusters are presently being used? anyone know?

den

Title: Re: wiring diagrams
Post by Ueli on May 21^st, 2003, 7:12pm

Den, I only know of to circuit diagrams from CH knowledgeable people:
Prof Leone in Italy does brain surgery to place the electrodes close to the hypothalamus.
Dr Dodick from the Mayo clinic stimulates the occipital ganglion by placing electrodes just under the skin at the back of the head.

There is a much used stimulating device on the spine, to relieve back pain and such. But only Sublux believes that the cluster pain signals make a detour to the spine, so this device probably brings nothing for clusters; at least I have never heard of a positive report.

Send me some of your Texas sun shine :D
Ueli