Southmead Hospital in Bristol has made medical history as the first site in the UK to switch on adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) — a next-generation treatment for Parkinson’s disease that’s transforming lives by personalizing brain therapy in real time.
This breakthrough was celebrated by John Morgan, a Parkinson’s patient from Cardiff, who received the new aDBS system as part of his ongoing care. For John, it felt like the “ultimate birthday present,” offering a smoother, more controlled life after years of dealing with fluctuating symptoms.
What Is Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation?
For over 30 years, traditional deep brain stimulation (DBS) has helped people with Parkinson’s manage their motor symptoms by sending electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain. However, those systems operated on fixed settings, requiring regular manual adjustments.
The new adaptive deep brain stimulation system is a major upgrade. It listens to the brain’s electrical activity in real time and automatically adjusts the stimulation based on what the brain needs at any given moment. This personalized approach makes symptom control more precise while minimizing side effects like dyskinesia—those involuntary, jerky movements caused by Parkinson’s medications.
A Smoother, Smarter Way to Manage Parkinson’s
For John, who was diagnosed at 33 and has lived with Parkinson’s for nearly two decades, the difference has been profound. “It often feels like I don’t have Parkinson’s,” he shared. “The stimulation adjusts itself 24/7. If I’m waiting for my meds to kick in, the aDBS picks up the slack and helps smooth out my movement. It’s incredible technology.”
Before adaptive DBS, John relied heavily on medication, which came with its own complications. With the aDBS system in place, he’s been able to reduce his medication dose, decreasing side effects while maintaining better control of his symptoms.
Real-Time Brain Feedback, Real-Life Results
The system, developed by Medtronic and recently approved for use across Europe and the UK, is implanted in the chest and connected to the brain through a set of fine wires. At Southmead’s Bristol Brain Centre, John became the first UK patient to have his system activated—and he likely won’t be the last. Other hospitals are preparing to follow suit.
Dr. Mihaela Boca, John’s consultant neurologist, explained: “We’re thrilled to offer this adaptive therapy. For John, it’s already improved walking and motor function while allowing us to reduce his medication load. It’s a win-win.”
The Future of Parkinson’s Care
This adaptive approach may represent the future of Parkinson’s and other neurological disorder treatments. By allowing therapy to respond moment-to-moment, clinicians hope to improve patients’ quality of life while minimizing long-term side effects.
At Interventional Psychiatry Network, we believe this kind of innovation signals a powerful shift toward personalized, responsive brain treatments—and adaptive deep brain stimulation is leading the way.
Citations:
Medtronic. (2024). Adaptive DBS Technology Overview. https://www.medtronic.com
Parkinson’s UK. (2025). What is Deep Brain Stimulation? https://www.parkinsons.org.uk
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