Emory Healthcare created our deep brain stimulation (DBS) program in the early 1990s. Our groundbreaking discoveries led to new treatments for movement disorders.
Since then, more than 1,000 patients have been implanted with DBS. We remain on the leading edge of DBS innovation.
Our specialists continue to develop new approaches and refine our treatment process to help you thrive.
Deep brain stimulation is a transformative treatment for people with uncontrollable muscle movements (motor symptoms). These symptoms occur when the brain stops communicating with muscles. As a result, you experience uncontrollable (involuntary) muscle movements.
We may recommend DBS if medications don’t improve your symptoms.
DBS uses thin wires (electrodes) surgically implanted in the brain. The electrodes send a mild electrical impulse into a precisely targeted brain area. The impulses regulate the brain’s electrical activity, which relieves your motor symptoms.
Our expert neurology team only recommends DBS after trying all other medical treatments. Other therapies may not improve your symptoms. Sometimes movement problems may temporarily improve and then reappear again.
DBS is FDA-approved to treat:
Many other conditions may benefit from DBS. Medical specialists are conducting studies into its effectiveness for conditions such as:
If these conditions don’t improve with medication, DBS may be available as an experimental treatment.
There’s much more to getting deep brain stimulation than scheduling surgery.
Our team does everything possible to ensure you get optimal results. We are here to help. We also encourage you to use the DBS CareTrek app to keep track of the details of your DBS journey.
The app sends reminders, keeps your schedule and gives you directions to the medical clinics. You can also communicate with your care team through the app. Those are only a few benefits of the app.
The process for getting DBS is long. There are four steps, each involving multiple visits to your neurologist. Altogether, the process takes about six months (which includes surgery to implant the leads).
These are the four steps:
Screening ensures you’ll benefit from deep brain stimulation. During your screening, you’ll undergo:
After screening, the next step is assessments to ensure you’re healthy enough for surgery. Pre-surgery planning includes:
Surgery includes two procedures done two weeks apart. We implant the wires (leads) during your first surgery.
The second procedure is to implant the DBS battery and connect it to the leads. The battery usually goes under the skin in your upper chest. In some cases, we may put it in the abdomen.
After your surgery, you have several follow-up visits:
We use deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Create a MyChart account to schedule online.
For the neurology department, call 404-778-3444.
For the neurosurgery department, call 404-778-5770.
Create a MyChart account to schedule online.
For the neurology department, call 404-778-3444.
For the neurosurgery department, call 404-778-5770.
