Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Deep Brain Stimulation

Definition

In deep brain stimulation (DBS), electrodes are implanted within the brain to deliver a continuous low electric current to the target area. The current is passed to the electrodes through a wire running under the scalp and skin to a battery-powered pulse generator implanted in the chest wall.

Purpose

DBS is used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). It has also been used to treat dystonia, chronic pain, and several other conditions

The movement disorders of PD and ET are due to loss of regulation in complex circuits within the brain that...