Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure that implants a medical device known as a neuro-stimulator into the brain. This device, through implanted electrodes, is used to electrically stimulate selected portions of the brain to treat movement and/or affective disorders.

This type of treatment has proved effective for otherwise treatment-resistant disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor (a disorder that causes involuntary shaking), dystonia, chronic pain, major depression, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

For treatment of multiple sclerosis small electrical shocks are typically directed to the thalamus while the globus pallidus is the focal area for the treatments of Parkinson's disease symptoms.