Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used for patients who do not respond to medication. This technique can be used for patients with neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, to reduce symptoms such as tremors or muscular rigidity.

DBS involves implanting a small device (an electrode) similar to a pacemaker that sends electrical signals to interfere with and block abnormal brain signals. The device is connected to a pulse stimulator attached to the back or the chest.

Before beginning the procedure, the neurosurgeon determines where to implant the device by imaging the brain using MRI or CT scans. Since Parkinson's patients have damaged neurons in parts of the basal ganglia, (read more) the device is usually placed in the globus pallidus or the subthalamic nucleus (pictured below).

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Image Credit:
(1) “Basal Ganglia Structure.” Wikimedia Commons, 4 June 2018, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/The_structures_of_the_basal_ganglia.png.

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