What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment used to help manage Parkinson’s disease (PD) movement symptoms when medications alone are not enough. During DBS surgery, thin wires are placed in specific areas of the brain and connected to a small pulse generator placed under the skin near the collarbone. The generator sends electrical signals through the wires to help reset abnormal brain signals and improve movement.
How DBS Works
After surgery, the DBS device needs to be adjusted to match each person’s symptoms. This involves turning the device on and identifying stimulation settings that reduce symptoms while avoiding side effects. Programming usually begins soon after surgery and requires several visits to find the best settings. It continues over time through follow-up appointments to fine-tune settings as symptoms or treatment goals change. Ongoing follow-up is essential. Your care team will regularly adjust medication and stimulation settings as symptoms change.
DBS Effectiveness
DBS is most effective at improving movement symptoms and reducing fluctuations (the ups and downs in symptoms as medication wears off or takes effect). It may also help with some non-movement symptoms. After surgery, many people take less medication than before, which can help reduce side effects, such as dyskinesia (extra, involuntary movements).
DBS may not improve mood, energy, or walking, especially if these didn’t improve with levodopa before DBS. In addition, DBS may worsen symptoms experienced before DBS, although these changes are typically related to stimulation and can improve or go away by adjusting the device settings.