This non-invasive treatment for Parkinson's patients is said to help stop shaky hands in just 15 minutes of a radiosurgery session without any side effects.
Published Feb 04, 2025 | 10:45 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 04, 2025 | 10:45 AM
Dr Lohith Reddy, Lead Radiation Oncologist from HCG Hospitals
Synopsis: A Bengaluru hospital has performed India’s first CyberKnife technology assisted radiosurgery for a Parkinson’s Disease patient. The technology allows to precisely target affected areas of the brain without any cuts, pain, or recovery time.
For years, a 75-year-old Parkinson’s patient struggled with debilitating tremors in his left upper limb, making even the simplest tasks impossible. However, a revolutionary new treatment at HCG Hospitals in Bengaluru has given him a fresh lease on life.
“After just 15 minutes of CyberKnife radiosurgery, I felt a difference. I had no pain, no side effects, and now, I can do things I thought I never would again,” he shared with a relieved smile.
The elderly patient, who also had multiple co-morbidities, is one among many who have benefited from this cutting-edge, non-invasive procedure using the latest CyberKnife S7 technology.
The procedure was carried out by a highly specialised team led by Dr Lohith Reddy, the Lead Radiation Oncologist for Functional Radiosurgery at HCG Hospitals. The team was supported by Dr Krithikaa Sekar, a Consultant Radiation Oncologist; Dr Shivakumar Swamy, the Director of Radiology; Dr Kumar Kallur, the Director of Molecular Imaging; and Dr Pichandi Anjeneyan, the Chief Physicist. The team was guided by Dr BS Ajai Kumar, the Executive Chairman of HCG Hospitals.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It occurs when dopamine-producing neurons in a specific part of the brain called the substania nigra begin to deteriorate and die.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential for coordinating smooth and controlled muscle movements.
Symptoms of the disease include: Uncontrolled shaking, often starting in the hands or fingers, difficulty initiating and performing movements, stiffness that makes movements rigid and difficult, poor balance and coordination, leading to falls, reduced facial expressions, slurred or soft speech, small or illegible handwriting, depression, sleep-related disorders, constipation and cognitive decline.
While causes according to doctors are genetics, and environmental factors like exposure to pesticides, heavy metals or toxins.
As part of treatment options, doctors explain that various medicines can help manage symptoms at the early stages. However, once the disease is advanced, powerful medicines are prescribed that increase the dopamine level in the brain or act as a substitute for it.
Meanwhile, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is suggested in the advanced stages when the medicines stop responding to the syndrome. DBS is a surgical procedure in which a small electrode is implanted into the affected parts of the brain that help to control movement.
This is then connected to a generator which is placed in the heart near the collarbone. The generator sends electric signals to the brain that can help in decreasing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr Lohith Reddy, speaking to South First, claimed that this surgery using Cybernice S7 technology is the first of its kind in Karnataka or even in India and emphasised the breakthrough nature of the treatment.
He stated, “For patients who are unable to undergo invasive surgeries, CyberKnife Radiosurgery is a life-changing alternative. It allows us to precisely target affected areas of the brain without any cuts, pain, or recovery time. Patients start noticing improvements within six weeks to three months, and best of all, they can go home the same day.”
To ensure pinpoint accuracy, the team used a limited brain dopamine PET scan to evaluate areas of low dopamine activity, along with advanced 3T MRI imaging to map the affected regions. The CyberKnife S7 system then delivered targeted treatment with sub-millimetre precision, effectively reducing tremors while avoiding side effects.
Dr Lohith believes that HCG Hospitals’ Functional Radiosurgery Program is not limited to Parkinson’s disease. The hospital is now using CyberKnife technology to treat trigeminal neuralgia, seizures, essential tremors, and even intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“With AI-driven treatment planning and the latest in radiosurgery technology, we can now offer hope to patients who thought they had no other options,” said Dr Reddy. “This is the future of functional neurosurgery.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
