Treating Parkinson’s with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

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An advanced neurosurgical treatment called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and other movement disorders, is offered by Sharp Grossmont Hospital. DBS can significantly improve patients’ quality of life by reducing symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity and slow movement, and decreasing the amount of medication they must take.

DBS uses electrodes that are placed in the areas of the brain responsible for the body’s movement. These electrodes are controlled by a generator — similar to a pacemaker — placed inside the chest. The electrodes produce electrical impulses that override the brain’s abnormal impulses to help control specific symptoms. Patients are fully asleep during the surgery.

“With Parkinson’s, the ideal candidate is someone who has seen improvement with medication but over time, they’ve seen the side effects of increased medication become too severe when they’re medicated and also when that medication has worn off,” says Dr. Vamsi Chavakula, a Sharp-affiliated neurosurgeon who performs DBS at Sharp Grossmont. “The goal of DBS is to avoid those waves and instead provide a constant source of therapy.”

With DBS, a patient may see results shortly after the initial implanting and programming of the device. Overall, it usually takes three to 12 months to get the DBS device settings exactly where they are most effective, as the brain adapts to the stimulation and medication is adjusted. Patients are scheduled for programming visits that take place frequently throughout the first six months. After that, visits typically take place twice a year.

Sharp Grossmont’s DBS program includes a comprehensive evaluation after a person is referred by their primary care physician or neurologist to see if the procedure is a good option. If surgery is recommended, post-procedure physical therapy helps individuals continue to improve their quality of life.

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