A new hope for patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder

The U.S FDA gave its approval for Reclaim™ Deep Brain Stimulation under a Humanitarian Device Exemption. An Humanitarian use device is a device that is intended to benefit patients by treaing a disease that affects fewer than 4,000 individuals in the U.S. per year. 
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors. The DBS of specific area of the brain, called ventral striatum,  may offer therapeutic promise for alleviating symptoms of OCD.
Dr Richter has  initiated approval process for performing this procedure at WJMC.

Neuromodulation for Dystonia

The U.S. Food and Drug administration approved a Humanitarian Device Exemption for Activa® Deep Brain Stimulation for Dystonia. Dr. Richter has received an approval for the clinical use of the device in Louisiana, West Jefferson Medical Center, in particular. The first patient with severe form of dystonia will undergo the procedure in the near future.

Dystonia is a disorder characterized by involuntary spasms and muscle contractions. It is estimated to affect approximately 250,000 Americans. Currently medical treatment and various surgical procedures are available to relieve symptoms. However, the cure has yet to be found. Deep brain stimualtion gives new hope to sufferers of dystonia. The procedure involves the implantation of an electrode that delivers electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. With neuromodulation, abnormal signals from nerve cells go away.

If you are interested in getting more information about the procedure and would like to get an opinion as to whether you may potentially be a candidate fir surgery, just call our office and make an appointment with Dr. Erich Richter.

Dr. Richter visits the Westwego Rotary

Dr. Richter recently presented an overview of new programs and community partnerships that LSU neurosurgery is bringing to the New Orleans area. He highlighted the new Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation Programs at West Jefferson Hospital, the Epilepsy Unit, which completes the only level 4 Epilepsy Center in the state, and the complex pain surgery program, which complements the existing pain services throughout the region.

If you would be interested in having an LSU faculty member speak to your community group, let us know!

CNN gives other doctor's and researcher's opinions on DBS surgery for treatment of PD

In this artcle, CNN discusses the largest study (led by Frances Weaver, Ph.D., director of the Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care at the Hines VA Hospital, in Hines, Illinois) that has been done on deep brain stimulation surgery for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Other researchers and doctors agree that this treatment option looks very promising.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/06/parkinsons.deep.brain.stimulation/

WGNO Interview with Dr. Richter

About a month ago, Dr. Richter made his debut on WGNO news talking about movement disorders and the current neurosurgical treatments. Parkinson's disease (PD) remains the most commonly mentioned of the movement disorders, affecting about 1.5 million Americans. Deep brain stimulation, a current treatment option for PD, is one of the main procedures that may be discussed on this blog site in the near future.

WDSU Interview with Dr. Richter

In case you missed it, last Thursday, December 18th, Dr. Erich Richter made an appearance on WDSU to talk about this blog site! It is truly exciting to have this sort of involvement from local neurosurgeons and LSU faculty members. I expect there to be a lot of Q&A over this holiday season!

Sister Websites help with Disease Specific Information.

Sister blog websites have been established for Epilepsy and Parkinson's Disease. Because the therapies associated with these disorders are so complex and involve a number of specialists working together, we have created spaces just for them. Look at www.NOParkinsons.blogspot.com for Parkinson's disease information, and www.louisianaepilepsy.blogspot.com for information about local resources for seizures. Note that links to these sites are always found in the bar on the right hand side of this page.