Medtronic’s BrainSense system, the first adaptive DBS technology, personalizes Parkinson’s treatment by adjusting therapy based on real-time brain activity, enhancing symptom management significantly.
Breakthrough in Personalized Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval for Medtronic’s revolutionary BrainSense™ Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) system on February 24, 2025 [1][2]. This groundbreaking development comes as a beacon of hope for the approximately one million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease [3]. The system represents the largest commercial launch of brain-computer interface technology to date, marking a significant advancement in neurostimulation therapy [2].
How the Technology Works
The BrainSense system functions as a sophisticated brain-computer interface, automatically adjusting stimulation based on the patient’s real-time brain signals [1]. Unlike traditional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems, which have been in use for over 30 years [1], this adaptive technology minimizes the need for manual adjustments by patients [2]. The system incorporates both the adaptive DBS capability and a BrainSense Electrode Identifier (EI), ensuring precise and personalized treatment delivery [1][3].
Clinical Validation and Expert Perspectives
The approval follows extensive clinical evaluation through the ADAPT-PD trial, which stands as the largest and longest assessment of adaptive DBS technology in both clinical and home settings [1]. Dr. Todd Herrington, director of the Deep Brain Stimulation Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasizes that ‘For patients who struggle with motor symptom fluctuations, dyskinesias, and other side effects with cDBS, aDBS may offer improved symptom control’ [1]. This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Helen Bronte-Stewart from Stanford University School of Medicine, who states that ‘Adaptive deep brain stimulation will help revolutionize the approach to therapeutic treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease’ [1][2].
Implementation and Availability
Medtronic plans to begin patient programming at select U.S. healthcare systems in the coming weeks, with nationwide availability expected in the following months [1]. The company has already served over 185,000 people with movement disorders globally since 1987 [2]. This latest advancement builds on Medtronic’s decade-long development of sensing-enabled DBS systems [2]. The technology is also available in Europe, demonstrating its global reach and potential impact on Parkinson’s treatment worldwide [1].