How to How Do I Become Eligible for Deep Brain Stimulation

First performed in 1987 in Europe, deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a reversible, surgical procedure that treats people who suffer from Parkinson's disease, dystonia and benign essential tremor. A neurosurgeon strategically places insulated leads, or wires, in your brain that connect to a neurostimulator implanted under your skin, near your collarbone. Using an external, hand-held programmer, you send electrical currents to targeted areas of brain tissue that respond accordingly, alleviating or lessening the symptoms of your disorder. The neurosurgeon knows where to place the leads by relying on MRI and CAT scanning.

Instructions

Preparation and Specifics

• 1

  Find out if you are eligible for DBS by talking to your neurologist.

  Talk to your neurologist about your eligibility. You need a referral from her before you can move on to the next steps. Your neurologist will determine whether you are eligible for DBS based on specific standards. National Parkinson Foundation suggests that you consider DBS if you have had Parkinson's for five years or more; if you are responsive to medications but the "off" times are becoming more frequent; or if your symptoms interfere with daily tasks. Your neurologist also knows if you are in good physical shape to undergo the various surgeries involved with DBS.

• 2

  Read all the literature there is about DBS.

  Read through all the information you can obtain about DBS. Watch DVDs or videos about the DBS procedure. Make a decision based on your individual case.

• 3

  Find a support group or an advocate.

  Find a DBS support group. The lead neurologist assigned to assess you wants to know that you have a support system. Joining a DBS support group is a way to connect and talk to people who have had DBS. These individuals are honest about their experiences and you can observe their movements and behaviors. You have the opportunity to make a definitive decision through this observation. An added plus to joining a support group is that often they have advocates who accompany potential DBS patients to appointments with medical personnel.

• 4

  Meet with the neurologist at the hospital you have chosen. She will be part of a team, all of whom will assess your status as a potential recipient of DBS. The neurologist will administer diagnostic and cognitive tests. A speech therapist, a physical therapist and a neurostimulator programmer will also screen you.

• 5

  You must pass a neuropsychological exam before you undergo DBS.

  Pass a neuropsychological test. A neuropsychologist will administer this 4 to 6 hour test, which establishes a baseline of your cognitive and psychological state. If the neuropsychologist finds any evidence of a psychological disorder or cognitive impairment, you will not be eligible for DBS.