Research Shows Prefrontal Cortex Biopsies During Deep Brain Stimulation Are Safe

Recent findings from a study conducted by scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital have demonstrated that obtaining biopsies from the prefrontal cortex during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgeries does not increase the risk of adverse effects or cognitive decline. The research analyzed data from 1,152 DBS procedures on 590 patients over more than a decade. The study divided the cases into those where prefrontal cortex biopsies were taken (652 procedures) and those without biopsies (500 procedures). Patients underwent CT scans within hours post-surgery, and their medical history was reviewed for complications such as intracranial hemorrhage, infection, or seizures within 90 days of the operation. Results showed no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups, with no infections reported in either group, and low rates of hemorrhage and seizures, all statistically comparable. The study also measured biopsies’ size, with an average volume of 40mm³, highlighting the precision and standardization possible with this technique.

This approach enables researchers to collect valuable living human brain tissue—something previously limited to post-mortem samples—thus opening new avenues for studying brain function and disease at a molecular level. Dr. Brian Kopell, director of the Center for Neuromodulation, emphasized the significance of this method in advancing neuroscience research without compromising patient safety.

Deep brain stimulation is a well-established treatment for neurological and psychiatric conditions. Traditionally, cortical cauterization is performed to facilitate electrode placement. However, this study confirms that integrating a prefrontal cortex biopsy prior to cauterization is a safe addition to the procedure. All surgeries were performed using standard stereotactic techniques, with biopsy sites carefully measured and controlled.

The successful implementation of this technique offers potential for extensive research—including understanding brain circuits at the synaptic level, developing gene therapies, and exploring brain disease mechanisms. The authors encourage other medical institutions to adopt this standardized method to expand research capabilities in neurology and neuroscience.

The findings have been published online in the journal Neurosurgery. For more details, visit the source.