Surgical treatment

Surgical Treatments
Surgical Treatment for Parkinson's
Surgery for Parkinson's disease has come a long way since it was first developed more than 50 years ago. The newest version of this surgery, deep brain stimulation (DBS), was developed in the 1990s and is now a standard treatment. Although it is certainly the most important therapeutic advance since the development of levodopa, it is not for every person with Parkinson's. It is most effective - sometimes, dramatically so - for individuals who experience disabling tremors, wearing-off spells and medication-induced dyskinesias.
During deep brain stimulation surgery, electrodes are inserted into the targeted brain region using MRI and neurophysiological mapping to ensure that they are implanted in the right place. A device called an impulse generator or IPG (similar to a pacemaker) is implanted under the collarbone to provide an electrical impulse to a part of the brain involved in motor function. Patients have a controller, which allows them to check the battery and to turn the device on or off. An IPG battery lasts for about three to five years and is relatively easy to replace under local anesthesia.
It is very important that a person with Parkinson's who is thinking of surgery be well informed about the procedures and realistic in his or her expectations. For more information on DBS, request your print copy of the booklet Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease, written by PDF Scientific Editor Dr. Blair Ford.