Deep Brain Stimulation: Current and Future Clinical Applications

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has developed during the past 20 years as a remarkable treatment option for several different disorders. Advances in technology and surgical techniques have essentially replaced ablative procedures for most of these conditions. Stimulation of the ventralis intermedius nucleus of the thalamus has clearly been shown to markedly improve tremor control in patients with essential tremor and tremor related to Parkinson disease. Symptoms of bradykinesia, tremor, gait disturbance, and rigidity can be significantly improved in patients with Parkinson disease. Because of these improvements, a decrease in medication can be instrumental in reducing the disabling features of dyskinesias in such patients. Primary dystonia has been shown to respond well to DBS of the globus pallidus internus. The success of these procedures has led to application of these techniques to multiple other debilitating conditions such as neuropsychiatric disorders, intractable pain, epilepsy, camptocormia, headache, restless legs syndrome, and Alzheimer disease. The literature analysis was performed using a MEDLINE search from 1980 through 2010 with the term deep brain stimulation, and several double-blind and larger case series were chosen for inclusion in this review. The exact mechanism of DBS is not fully understood. This review summarizes many of the current and potential future clinical applications of this technology.

Neurostimulation in cluster headache: A review of current progress

“…DBS is a method used since the 1990s especially in the management of movement disorders (23). The abovementioned evidence of hypothalamic involvement in CH pathophysiology led to the use of hypothalamic DBS in drCCH patients.…”

A Review on Management of Epilepsy Complications in Health Care Practice

“…The repeated consequences which can crop the brain and body to react strangely. [10][11][12][13][14][15] The severity of seizures can differ from person to person. Some people naturally experience an odd feeling with no loss of awareness, or may have a symptoms few seconds or minutes, while others lose consciousness and have convulsions.…”

Analysis of Gene Expression Changes in the Rat Hippocampus After Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Thalamic Nucleus

“…Alzheimer's type dementia, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, pain and neuropsychiatric diseases such depression, OCD, Tourette's syndrome and addiction are some of the conditions amenable to treatment by DBS [10][11][12] . While DBS surgery is FDA approved for treating Parkinson's disease, dystonia and essential tremor, the use of DBS for treating other conditions mentioned above are in various stages of lab and clinical studies offering much promise to patients 13,14 .…”