New and Noteworthy Information—March 2016

The FDA has approved Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for use in patients with Parkinson’s disease of at least four-years duration and with recent onset of motor complications, or motor complications of longer-standing duration that are not adequately controlled with medication. In 2002, the FDA initially approved Medtronic DBS Therapy for use in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. This new approval expands the population of patients who may benefit from this therapy. The approval is based on data from the EARLYSTIM study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2012.

—Kimberly Williams