Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), or brain pacemaking, is a relatively new surgery for patients with Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, and dystonia. During DBS, electrodes are implanted within the brain to deliver electrical impulses that can greatly reduce tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and stiffness, and may also help balance problems. By decreasing tremors, DBS can help many patients reduce their medications and improve their overall lifestyle. DBS can be performed on patients of almost any age who are medically stable.

Patient Benefits

• Patients with involuntary movements caused by medications experience a more than 80 percent reduction in involuntary movements
• Freezing, or inability to move, is also markedly improved
• Most patients report a 50 percent improvement in their walking and balance
• Medications can often be reduced

Candidates for DBS

• Any patient with Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, or dystonia whose symptoms cause a significant decline in quality of life and who has already undergone an adequate and reasonable use of medications and is in acceptable medical condition to undergo the surgery

For more information about The Neurosciences Institute at Morton Plant Hospital, please call (727) 461-8635.

The Neurosciences Institute
Ptak Orthopaedic & Neuroscience Pavilion
430 Morton Plant Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 461-8635
Maps & Directions