AbstractBrain implants, often referred to as neural implants, are technological devices that connect directly to a biological subject’s brain - usually placed on the surface of the brain, or attached to the brain’s cortex. “Brain pacemakers” are used to treat people who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, major depression and other diseases. Pacemakers may also be implanted outside the brain, on or near the spinal cord (spinal cord stimulation), and around cranial nerves such as the vagus nerve (vagus nerve stimulation), and on or near peripheral nerves. The deep brain stimulation system consists of three components: the implanted pulse generator (IPG), the lead, and the extension. DBS leads are placed in the brain according to the type of symptoms to be addressed. Brain implants electrically stimulate, block or record signals from single neurons or groups of neurons networks in the brain. DBS reduces tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait problems, dyskinesia, motor fluctuations, dystonia. The innovative technology may also come to the next generations that may replace the 1st generation Brain Pacemakers. There are very few cons for brain pacemakers that outweigh the potential benefits. In the short amount of time brain pacemakers have progressed so far. Given more time, brain pacemakers will be a really useful and a powerful technology.
Keywords: Brain pacemaker; Brain implants; Deep brain stimulation; Parkinson’s disease; Alzheimer’s disease.