Electrical stimulation of the brain: Deep Brain Stimulation

(DBS)

• 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 is a treatment for essential tremor and in April as a treatment for dystonia. The FDA approved DBS for Parkinson's disease in 2002. DBS may also alleviate symptoms in treatment-resistant clinical depression.

What are the post-op behavioral symptoms?

• Apathy, hallucinations, compulsive gambling, hyper sexuality, cognitive dysfunction, and depression.

• In severe cases subjects may experience voyeurism or may attempt suicide.

How does it work?

• The deep brain stimulation system consists of three components: the implanted pulse generator, the lead, and the extension.

• The IPG is a battery powered neuron stimulator, which sends electrical pulses to the brain to interfere with neural activity at the target site.

• The lead is a coiled wire with four electrodes and is placed in one of three areas of the brain.

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• The lead is connected to the IPG by the extension, a wire that runs from the head, down the side of the neck, behind the ear to the IPG, which is placed below the clavicle.

What is it good for?

DBS is used to treat: • Parkinson's Disease• Clinical Depression• Tourette Syndrome• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder• Phantom limb pain• Cluster headaches • DBS is also being tested for the treatment of

epilepsy

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