Electrical stimulation of the brain in treatment of XXXX . Experience over 5 years.

@entity1 @entity146 @entity1510 @entity1286 @entity158 @entity1118
Forty-eight @entity1 underwent electrical stimulation of the brain for treatment of @entity1118 between 1978 and 1983. Average @entity158 duration prior to treatment was 4.5 years. Before selection for this procedure @entity1 underwent @entity158 treatment in a multidisciplinary @entity158 center, intensive psychological and @entity146 evaluation, and assessment of @entity158 responsiveness to intravenous administration of placebo, @entity1286 , and @entity1510 . A total of 71 electrodes were placed in the 48 @entity1 at a variety of stimulating targets, including the periaqueductal gray matter, periventricular gray matter, thalamus, and internal capsule. Seventy-two percent of @entity1 experienced complete or partial @entity158 relief. In addition, 59% of @entity1 were able to discontinue narcotic usage. Twenty-five percent of @entity1 returned to normal physical activities and another 33% showed marked improvement in functional capacity. Follow-up periods ranged from 2 to 60 months; with a mean follow-up period of 20 months. A variety of relatively minor complications occurred, but no mortality or permanent sequelae were experienced. No @entity1 's @entity158 was made worse as a result of electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the brain offers a safe and relatively effective method for the treatment of @entity1118 in appropriately selected @entity1 , who are unresponsive to other forms of therapy.
