Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders physician Paul Fishman, MD, PhD

Dr. Paul S. Fishman, MD, works with a movement disorders patient receiving deep brain stimulation treatment.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and related conditions.

What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?

DBS involves using electrical stimulation to control abnormal brain signals linked to symptoms of movement disorders. This technique requires surgeons to implant electrodes into the brain through a tiny opening in the skull. These electrodes connect to a battery-operated generator typically positioned under the collarbone, with wires running beneath the skin.

The generator emits electrical impulses to the electrodes, targeting and disrupting the problematic brain signals that lead to tremors and other related symptoms. This process helps manage and alleviate the symptoms associated with movement disorders.

Choose UMMC for Deep Brain Stimulation

At UMMC, we personalize your therapy with the help of a dedicated DBS team. This team includes highly experienced experts from both our neurology and neurosurgery departments.

Every candidate undergoes a thorough examination, which includes comprehensive psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations. To tailor surgical and medical therapies to your specific needs, all patients are reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel that includes a diverse group of specialists. This collaborative approach ensures that your care is both personalized and comprehensive.

Our multidisciplinary team closely monitors patients at every stage of the DBS process, ensuring thorough follow-up care. This includes frequent and detailed check-ins in the weeks, months, and years following the surgery to support your ongoing recovery and adjust treatment as needed.

Conditions and Symptoms DBS Can Help With

Learn more about how DBS can help with symptoms of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia:

Benefits and Risks of DBS

In patients with Parkinson's disease, DBS can effectively manage symptoms such as slowness, stiffness, tremor, and dyskinesia. Often, patients can significantly reduce their medication dosage following DBS. 

The DBS device can also be reprogrammed to accommodate changes in symptoms. Battery replacement is the only additional surgery required, typically every 3-5 years or every 10 years, depending on the battery type.

For those with essential tremor, DBS significantly alleviates tremors. In cases of dystonia, it helps manage symptoms associated with involuntary muscle contraction.

However, DBS carries risks as it involves brain surgery. These include a small risk of infection or bleeding. In rare instances, significant bleeding can occur, leading to stroke-like symptoms and temporary confusion.

Make an Appointment

Call us at 410-328-6034 to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists or get more information on DBS at UMMC .