Am I a Candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease?

Roughly 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year in the US. Living with Parkinson's presents unique challenges, with symptoms that can significantly impact your daily life. 

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment for Parkinson’s that may relieve symptoms that aren’t adequately controlled with medication. As one of the most important steps for success with DBS, board-certified neurologist Timothy Ownbey, DO, performs careful patient selection. 

What is deep brain stimulation?

DBS involves placing a neurostimulator device, often referred to as a brain pacemaker, to send electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. 

These impulses can reduce PD symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement (bradykinesia). While DBS doesn’t cure Parkinson’s, it can make a major difference in managing symptoms that haven’t responded well to medication. For well matched candidates, DBS can significantly improve quality of life. 

Am I a candidate for deep brain stimulation?

Ideal Parkinson’s candidates for DBS are generally below age 70 with little to no cognitive dysfunction. DBS may not be suitable for patients with significant memory or cognitive issues. This surgery is best suited for patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s for five years or longer and who experience severe tremors and involuntary movements (dyskinesias). 

Additionally, patients who experience significant motor fluctuations that medications fail to control may be good candidates for DBS. Patients experiencing unpredictable medication effects, including wearing off after long-term use of levodopa (the primary drug used to treat PD), are often good candidates for DBS.

Symptom and treatment history evaluation

If medication no longer provides consistent relief, or if side effects become a significant issue, DBS might be the next step. 

Your general health and the presence of other medical conditions play a crucial role in determining if DBS is suitable for you. Candidates for DBS should be in good overall health without serious comorbid conditions that increase the risk of complications from surgery.

Neurological evaluations, including brain imaging tests, are crucial to assess your brain's structure and pinpoint the specific areas causing symptoms.

Patients selection for DBS

Making the decision to undergo DBS requires close collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuropsychologists. Dr. Ownbey takes several important steps in determining whether DBS is the most appropriate treatment approach, including confirming a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s. Dr. Ownbey will evaluate to rule out potential secondary causes of your symptoms.

Additionally, Dr. Ownbey carefully reviews your current medications to determine if there is a potential for improved management with medication modification. 

If you're living with Parkinson's Disease and struggling to manage symptoms effectively with medication, DBS may be a suitable and beneficial option.

DBS isn’t suitable for everyone; however, if it’s right for you, it could significantly improve your quality of life by relieving the most debilitating Parkinson's symptoms. To learn more about DBS, and to request an appointment with Dr. Ownbey, contact us at Neurology Specialists of Albuquerque today.