Said to be the first of its kind in India, KMCH doctors have achieved a milestone by performing Deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment by which a smart electrode is inserted, and connected with a pacemaker into deeper parts of the brain to connect.
In 2013, a 55 years old patient, Arumugam from Sathyamangalam has received this treatment from KMCH which is recommended for advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, generalized dystonia and some cases of epilepsy.
With a long history of alcohol addiction, Arumugam (55) met Dr.Arul Selvan, Consultant Neurologist, KMCH who carefully counselled and referred him to Dr.Srinivasan, a Consultant Psychiatrist at KMCH. The patient was started on de-addiction programme but the patient failed for follow-up appointments and again returned to consume alcohol.
Finally in 2017, the family approached Dr.Arul Selvan in a very bad condition. He had shivering in hands, uncontrolled movements in the lips, memory loss and loss of sensation in his extremities.
Dr.Arul Selvan formed a team along with Dr.Srinivasan. Consultant Psychatrist and Dr.Ganesan, Specialist in functional Neuro Surgeries and after detailed discussion with the family it was decided to administer a unique treatment for his condition. They finally placed a small electrode in nucleus accumbence, a tiny nuclei in the deep parts of the brain which controls the desire to drink. It was connected with a wire to a pacemaker which continuously sends electrical signals throughout day and night.
While congratulating the doctors, KMCH Chairman Dr.Nalla Palanisamy said "Alcoholic addiction is one of the biggest socio economic burden in India. According to WHO, more than 30% of Indian population consume alcohol and it is on rising trend the per capita consumption of alcohol in the country increased from 1.6 liters to 6.2 liters.
Kovai Medical Center continues to prove and excel in innovative and cutting edge facilities. I am glad that this treatment had led the patient came out of the alcohol addiction behavior”. He was also hoping that more and more people will come forward to get this new treatment not only for alcohol but other addictive habits".