What are the benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS)?
DBS surgery does not cure disease in Parkinson’s, essential tremor or dystonia, though it can significantly reduce symptoms in some patients. When the stimulator is turned off or if it malfunctions, symptoms return. DBS can decrease abnormal movements, rigidity, tremor, abnormal postures (e.g. dystonia) and other symptoms, but usually does not totally eliminate them. The degree of benefit varies, in dystonia, with the type of disease, duration of symptoms and age of the patient. Adolescents and young adults with inherited forms of dystonia appear to get very significant benefit while patients with dystonia due to stroke or head trauma may improve only slightly. Adults who have had dystonia for many years generally improve less than those with recent symptom onset. People with essential tremor are generally strongly benefited by DBS while with Parkinson’s patients, a number of factors interact to determine degree of benefit. Any patient considering DBS should have a frank and comprehens
