Parkinson's Disease

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy, FDA-approved in 1997 for Parkinson’s-related tremor and later in 2002 for more advanced symptoms, is one that uses electrical stimulation delivered to a certain area of the brain that helps control movements. DBS is a surgical procedure involving the implantation of a thin electrode and a battery pack that gets implanted in the chest, much like a pacemaker. Today, DBS is FDA-approved for several other indications aside from Parkinson’s disease, including essential tremor and dystonia.

What does DBS do for abnormal movements?

The goal of DBS is to help control motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, reduce tremor in essential tremor, and/or help relieve dystonia. DBS therapy is often used in conjunction with medication therapy, especially if medications do not control symptoms well enough. Stimulation with DBS therapy can be adjusted based on a patient’s individual needs.

There is a common misconception that DBS therapy is a “last resort”. On the contrary, DBS therapy earlier than later allows patients to have an improved quality of life sooner and for longer. DBS therapy can be used life-long.

For patients with Parkinson’s disease, DBS therapy may be a good option if:

• You have a short amount of “ON time” with your medications.
• You have bothersome dyskinesia.
• You have a tremor that is not very responsive to medications (but other PD symptoms are).

Additional candidates:

• Patients with essential tremor that is not very responsive to medications.
• Patients with certain causes of dystonia.

Our Movement team at UBMD Neurology works in close collaboration with the Functional Neurosurgery team at UBMD Neurosurgery. Together, we work with patients on an individual basis to discuss whether DBS therapy is right for them. DBS implantation is performed by the Neurosurgery team at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute. After surgery, our team at UBMD Neurology specializes in the programming and management of the DBS system. As a whole, we are dedicated to educating our patients about the pros and cons of DBS therapy, how it works, and how it may benefit a particular patient.