A Grayling-area man is the first in Michigan with a complete Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) system surgically implanted for the treatment of epilepsy. Neurosurgeon Jason Schwalb, MD, with help from the team at the Henry Ford Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, implanted targeted electrodes in 32-year-old Steven Rennie’s brain on Feb. 12, and a pacemaker-like device known as an internal pulse generator in his chest on Feb. 28.
The electrodes are attached to the internal pulse generator, their power source, via thin extension cords below the skin. Together, these components make a complete DBS system – something that provides hope for Rennie, who has not seen a significant reduction in symptoms from other epilepsy treatments.