In a major breakthrough for neurological care in India, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, has announced the country’s first clinical activation of Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS) for Parkinson’s disease. This marks a significant step towards next-generation, precision brain therapy.

 

The procedure was performed on 2 March 2026 by a team led by Dr. Vijayashankar Paramanandam and Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, specialists trained in advanced international fellowships in movement disorders neurology and functional neurosurgery. The case was followed up over several weeks to assess clinical response after activation.

 

The advancement builds on Apollo’s established Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) programme, which has long used continuous electrical stimulation to manage advanced Parkinson’s symptoms. 

 

The new adaptive system takes a leap forward—dynamically adjusting stimulation in real time based on the brain’s own electrical signals, enabled by sensing-capable neurostimulation platforms such as those developed by Medtronic.

 

Unlike conventional DBS, which delivers constant stimulation, adaptive DBS fine-tunes therapy moment-by-moment to match symptom fluctuations across the day—aiming for more stable control and improved quality of life.

 

“Adaptive DBS is an important advance in Parkinson’s therapy,” said Dr. Vijayashankar Paramanandam, Senior Consultant Neurologist & Movement Disorders and DBS Specialist, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Lane-Chennai. 

 

“Adaptive DBS represents the next major evolution from conventional, continuous DBS therapy. By actively monitoring the brain’s unique electrical signals, the system responds instantaneously, delivering the precise amount of stimulation exactly when it is needed. This effectively smooths out unpredictable symptoms and improves the quality of life , bringing us closer to truly personalized DBS care.”

 

Adding to the clinical perspective, Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Lane-Chennai, said: “In any new technology, what matters is patient benefit." 

 

“Following activation, programming and clinical follow-up over a month, we have seen encouraging early response in terms of stability throughout the day. That is a meaningful outcome in Parkinson’s, where fluctuation is often the most challenging aspect to manage.”

 

The patient, a 62-year-old man, also reported clear functional improvement, saying: “I feel more stable through the day, and that makes a real difference to daily life,” he said.

 

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal highlights the rapidly growing burden of Parkinson’s disease in India and globally. 

 

It estimates that India could see 2.8 million cases by 2050 (range 2.3–3.5 million), making it the second-most affected country after China. South Asia overall may account for nearly 6.8 million cases, while global prevalence is projected to reach 25.2 million—an increase of more than 112% from 2021.

 

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that impairs movement and independence, is increasingly being managed through advanced interventions such as DBS. Patients with long-standing disease, heavy medication needs, and disabling motor fluctuations may benefit most from early referral to such therapies.