Frequently Asked Questions about Deep Brain Stimulation

What is deep brain stimulation?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment to reduce tremor symptoms resulting from neurological disorders including essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and some forms of epilepsy. It involves surgery to implant electrodes in structures deep within the brain. Those electrodes are connected to a stimulation generator, which is implanted under the skin of the chest. After surgery, the system is programmed by the neurology team to deliver electrical stimulation to the brain. With effective stimulation, patients may experience significant reduction in their tremor symptoms.

Am I a candidate for deep brain stimulation?

In general, any person who has essential tremor is a potential candidate for deep brain stimulation. We most commonly discuss this surgery when patients have a hard time performing simple daily tasks like writing, drinking from a cup or shaving and when other treatment options such as medications and assistive devices have already been tried.

If your tremor is making everyday activities difficult, deep brain stimulation may be able to help you. Our team at The University of Toledo Medical Center will help you determine whether it is a recommended treatment option for you. The first step is an evaluation by a movement disorders neurologist at UTMC. Additional testing may include MRI and CT scans, neuropsychological testing, and evaluation by a neurosurgeon.

The goal of the evaluation process is to determine the benefit you will get from deep brain stimulation and how to get the most benefit for the least risk. We will work with you to help you understand your results and provide you with treatment options and recommendations. If you are interested in deep brain stimulation, call The University of Toledo Medical Center Multidisciplinary Movement Disorders Clinic at 419.383.3759 and our staff will assist you with beginning the screening process.

Will deep brain stimulation cure my essential tremor?

Deep brain stimulation only controls the tremor symptoms. It does not cure essential tremor or other neurological disorders. It does not improve other neurological symptoms like balance problems, weakness, pain or numbness. With the reduction of tremor symptoms, patients may see a dramatic improvement in quality of life, but the underlying conditions that cause those symptoms are often lifelong and not curable.

Is deep brain stimulation safe?

Deep brain stimulation has been FDA approved for more than 25 years. Many patients have successfully undergone implantation of a DBS system and experienced a reduction in their tremor symptoms.

Every treatment, including surgery and medication, has benefits and risks. For deep brain stimulation, the benefit of surgery is the chance to reduce tremor and make daily activities easier. The risks of surgery vary from case to case and include infection, bleeding, problems healing, spinal fluid leak, stroke and brain injury. These risks are rare. The most common risk is infection, which occurs in about 4% of surgeries.

Our surgery team at The University of Toledo Medical Center will never offer a patient a treatment option if the risks outweigh the benefits. Our team will carefully consider your case and provide you with recommendations to help you make an informed decision.

What is the recovery process for deep brain stimulation?

While healing from surgery can be tough, most patients see improvements within 10 days. Patients commonly report headache, pain or swelling at the surgical site, constipation, and fatigue. These symptoms are normal and typically improve in a few days to weeks with the aid of over-the-counter medication.

Each patient’s tremor and surgery are unique, and so is the amount of time it will take you to return to a normal schedule of activities. If you have a job that does not involve a lot of physical activity, you may be able to return to work or school after just a week or two. If you have a physically demanding job, it may be reasonable to wait six weeks before returning to work. Our clinic will be happy to provide appropriate return-to-work documents and complete any other paperwork needed, including FMLA forms.

I’d like to discuss deep brain stimulation as an option for me. 

Call The University of Toledo Medical Center Multidisciplinary Movement Disorders Clinic at 419.383.3759 and our knowledgeable staff will help you get started.