About Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that uses an implanted, electrical stimulator to send regular pulses of electricity into specific areas of the brain. The procedure offers hope for people suffering from certain illnesses.
Whether DBS will work in you depends on the condition you’re treating and your personal medical history. Your doctor may recommend DBS if medications or surgery haven’t been very effective at relieving your symptoms. DBS isn’t available everywhere. However, ASIAN has a highly experienced panel of neurosurgeons who have performed numerous successful DBS procedures.
If you think DBS might be right for you, discuss it with us because there are some important questions to ask before undergoing the procedure.

When is DBS Surgery Recommended?

For people with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, or essential tremor, deep brain stimulation can be used to help manage symptoms. This procedure may also be utilized for patients who have obsessive-compulsive disorder or epilepsy when medications are no longer effective in mitigating symptoms and improving the quality of life for the patient.
To date, DBS has been used to treat over 160,000 people for various neurological conditions.
That said, DBS is an approved procedure for the treatment of;

  • Essential tremor
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Dystonia
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s disease

The potential of treatment by Deep Brain Stimulation is also being researched for;

  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Brain injuries
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Stroke Recovery
  • Huntington disease

 

Advantages of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Deep brain stimulation is an effective treatment for several neurological conditions. What’s more, it offers the following benefits;

    • Regarding Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors, DBS can help reduce troublesome symptoms such as shaking hands or stiffness. It also helps patients resume their normal lives with greater independence by increasing control over their movements.
    • For those who have chronic pain due to dystonia, DBS may be able to help you manage your symptoms.
    • Likewise, if you’re suffering from depression or epilepsy that’s not responding well to medication, DBS might be a good option for therapy.

However, your consulting doctor will tell you all about the possible side effects and risks associated with this surgical procedure.

 

Some common side effects of DBS include;

  • Emotional/mood swings
  • Difficulty in balancing
  • Temporary pain and swelling on the implantation site
  • Numbness/tingling sensation
  • Light-headedness
  • Temporary blurry vision

 

What to expect after a DBS procedure?

The way your body responds to DBS is different for everyone. Some people may require surgery to implant the devices, but in some cases, doctors can use a needle or a catheter instead of making an incision.

If you undergo DBS treatment, there should be no noticeable scarring on your head after the procedure. As far as your condition is concerned, there are high chances that you will be relieved of chronic symptoms and be able to restore a better quality of life.

ASIAN Is the Centre of Excellence for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Procedures

At ASIAN, our highly experienced team of neurosurgeons has handled numerous successful DBS procedures.
Our multi-disciplinary care team shares one goal: to provide personalized, specialized healthcare for you and your loved ones. We work together with physicians, nurses, technologists, and specialists to respond to whatever needs you may have.

Looking for expert DBS consulting?
Trust only the experienced experts at ASIAN.
Contact us now!

Content Reviewed by – Asian Hospital Medical Editors