Pamela Mehra was prescribed a surgery by many docs in the US, but they couldn't offer her the treatment
Pamela Mehra's mother was overwhelmed. The 42-year-old who was diagnosed with autism when she was three, spoke after more than three decades. Pamela, a resident of USA, underwent a deep brain surgery (DBS) of Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) on March 7.
A first in India, the deep brain surgery of NAc was conducted at Jaslok Hospital. The doctors got to know about the case in October 2016 and had been working on the patient for five months.
Pamela's family had consulted multiple doctors in the US, where most had suggested a surgery, but couldn't offer the treatment. A re-evaluation of Pamela's condition revealed that her case was serious.
Anita Mehra, sister of Pamela, said, "Since childhood, she expressed only through gestures. We heard her speak for the first time after the surgery. Autism can't be cured completely, but we can at least hope to see her lead a normal lofe now. Earlier, she used to be very rigid and reserved, not very able at socialising. Post the surgery she has been trying to express herself freely."
According to doctors, DBS is very rarely conducted. A neurosurgical procedure, it involves the implantation of a medical device called a neuro stimulator also known as a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific targets in the brain to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
DBS is a surgical procedure in which two thin, insulated electrodes are inserted into the brain. These electrodes are then connected by a wire under the skin to a battery usually implanted in the chest or in the abdomen. The battery operates in a way similar to a pacemaker, delivering targeted electrical pulses that block the signals that trigger symptoms of dystonia. The battery is implanted below the skin on the walls of the chest.
Speaking about the surgery, Dr Paresh Doshi, Director, Neuro Surgery, Jaslok Hospital said, "Pamela's case is unique since she is a patient of autism, who also suffers from epilepsy. We had to be extra cautious to ensure a safe surgery. Early response to the stimulation is encouraging. It gives us the confidence that not only her OCD but her autism will also respond to the treatment. The nucleus accumbens surgery will help to control obsession, aggression, and autism. Her condition has improved post-surgery. The obsessive behavior has come under control, and she has also become less aggressive."
The deep brain stimulation surgery of nucleus accumbens is conducted on patients suffering from OCD, other behavioral problems, self injurious behavior, and now in case of autism as well.
Pamela went to a special school till 21 years of age and has been engaged in different activities like cleaning, watching TV. "She likes to eat a lot. While we will go back to USA in a few weeks, we are now on a mission to find a hobby for her. We will be given a programming device by the doctor which will help us watch her progress step by step," said Anita.
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