Many patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), essential tremor, dystonia and other movement conditions can suffer from troublesome or even disabling symptoms despite the use of otherwise helpful medications. For these patients, surgical intervention such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) may offer an alternative treatment.

DBS uses an implanted electrode, which is surgically inserted into the desired target area of the brain and fixed at the skull. This electrode placement is performed under local anesthesia.

Continuous, high frequency electrical stimulation, similar to a heart pacemaker, is then delivered to either the thalamus, globus pallidus (GPi) or to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) – all parts of the brain that control movement. Although the basic mechanisms of DBS are not well understood, it is believed that these electrical impulses can help to interfere with and block the brain’s abnormal electrical signals that cause uncontrollable movements associated with these diseases.

For some patients who have had the system implanted, DBS has helped to alleviate symptoms, improve their ability to participate in every-day life activities and regain some control of their life.

Speak to your physician to find out if DBS may be a good treatment for your movement condition.