Type of Surgery
Information

Last updated: 11/24/2009
Deep brain stimulation improves the movement disorder symptoms of Parkinson's disease by 25–75%, depending on the care of the placement and the ability to find the optimum settings. These improvements are seen most while off levodopa; DBS does little...
to improve the best response to levodopa treatment. Levodopa dose will likely be reduced, leading to a significant reduction in dyskinesias.
Advertisement
In this video, a physician provides an overview of our current understanding of schizophrenia. The symptoms, changes in the brain, and genetics of schizophrenia are discussed.
Search
Other Information
In neurotechnology, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain. DBS in select brain regions has provided remarkable therapeutic benefits for otherwise treatment-resistant movement and affective disorders such as chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia. Despite the long history of DBS, its underlying principles and mechanisms are still not clear. DBS directly changes brain activity in a controlled manner, its effects are reversible (unlike those of lesioning techniques) and is one of only a few neurosurgical methods that allows blinded studies.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved DBS as a treatment for essential tremor in 1997, for Parkinson's disease in 2002, and dystonia in 2003. DBS is also routinely used to treat chronic pain and has been used to treat various affective disorders, including major depression. While DBS has proven helpful for some patients, there is potential for serious complications and side effects.
Other Information
Surgery for removal is generally advised for patients with limited cancer elsewhere in the body and a single brain metastasis.
-Cedar-Sinals
Find a Qualified Specialist
Looking for a specialist?
Please enter your zip code.
