{"id":9599,"date":"2024-02-06T15:06:31","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T20:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurosurgery\/?page_id=9599"},"modified":"2024-05-23T15:30:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T19:30:40","slug":"deep-brain-stimulation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurosurgery\/services\/movement-disorders\/deep-brain-stimulation\/","title":{"rendered":"Deep Brain Stimulation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deep Brain Stimulation at ºÚÁÏÍø Health<\/h3>\n

With decades of experience in the field, our Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy (DBS) Program aims to provide personalized treatment options for patients whose symptoms have not been effectively treated through traditional approaches such as medications, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. ºÚÁÏÍø Health performed its first DBS surgery in 2004. Since then, our team has performed over 1,000 DBS surgeries.<\/p>\n

Our program offers DBS for the following conditions:<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a>
\nTremor<\/a>
\nDystonia*<\/a>
\nEpilepsy<\/a>
\nObsessive Compulsive Disorder*<\/a><\/p>\n

*DBS for dystonia and obsessive compulsive disorder are offered based on an approval from the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) Humanitarian Device Exemption.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our neuromodulation team is among the most comprehensive and collaborative in the nation, offering a patient centered experience starting with you and your existing care team. DBS candidacy is and should be a personalized process for every patient, and this mission is clearly shared by our team of movement disorder specialists, functional neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, nurse coordinators, and multiple other care partners. DBS patients at ºÚÁÏÍø Health have two dedicated nurse navigators, Kelsey Wertman and Wes Crutchfield, to guide them through their care.<\/p>\n

What is involved in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery?<\/h3>\n

In DBS surgery, electrodes (made of insulated wires) are implanted into a specific, deep target location within the brain. The\"Deep target location is personalized to treat patient-specific symptoms. These wires are connected to an extension cable that runs behind the ear, down over the collarbone, with a pacemaker installed below the collarbone. The entire system lies under the skin, with the pacemaker delivering a constant, fast-frequency stimulation to the brain . This stimulation modulates specific brain circuits involved with different neurological conditions.<\/p>\n

After the DBS system is installed, a neurologist programs the electrical stimulation settings using a special communication device, allowing them to personalize settings aimed at improving specific symptoms. An overwhelming majority of patients who qualify for and undergo DBS surgery experience a remarkable improvement in symptoms as well as in their quality of life.<\/p>\n

In order to provide highly-specialized and successful care through the ºÚÁÏÍø DBS program, we rely on the close-knit partnership and multidisciplinary care offerings of several medical specialties; including but not limited to neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, radiology, and anesthesiology. We discuss and treat every patient individually prior to offering surgery in order to meet our patients\u2019 specific needs and to maximize their clinical improvement.<\/p>\n

Patient Evaluation for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery<\/h3>\n

We recommend that all patients first be evaluated by one of the neurologists from the Movement Disorders Center at ºÚÁÏÍø Health. During the evaluation, the movement disorders specialist will confirm the disease or condition causing involuntary movement and if the patient may be a candidate for deep brain stimulation surgery at ºÚÁÏÍø Health.<\/p>\n

Once DBS is being considered, our interdisciplinary team of specialists discuss the patient\u2019s history, examination, expected benefits, and unique risks for undergoing surgery. Considerable time and effort is placed to ensure that the team\u2019s recommendations are personalized to the patient\u2019s case and needs. We then communicate this information back to the patient.<\/p>\n

If a qualifying patient then decides to proceed with surgery, the following steps are taken:<\/p>\n