Deep Brain Stimulation

When Parkinson's medication becomes less effective, patients turn to DBS

When medication alone is no longer enough, many patients turn to Deep Brain Stimulation to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease like tremors, rigidity, and difficulty walking. With early enough intervention, DBS can reduce tremors, increase mobility, and may even allow you to reduce the amount of medication you have to take—giving you freedom from unpleasant side effects.

A DBS system has three parts—stimulator that delivers mild electrical pulses to specialized wires or leads placed precisely in the motor region of your brain, and an insulated wire that connects the two, known as an extension. This short video shows you how these parts are placed in your body.

DBS is Safe

While there's risk with every surgery, DBS isn't a new therapy, and for many patients with Parkinson's disease, DBS therapy is a normal part of their treatment journey.

More than a quarter century of clinical trials and patient experiences have tested the safety and effectiveness of treating Parkinson's disease with DBS. Hundreds of thousands of patients like you are already experiencing the benefits. Learn more about the clinical evidence supporting DBS.

Dr. Jens Volkmann, MD PhD, Chairman and Professor of Neurology at University Clinic of Wurzburg (Germany) and global thought leader in DBS discusses the safety of Deep Brain Stimulation.

The DBS Journey^1,2

When you get DBS, you'll work with a team of experts who'll help you understand what to expect at each step, and how you should prepare. Unlike many procedures, DBS occurs in different steps or "phases," so the whole thing can take some time from start to finish, but here's an overview of the key parts of the DBS journey to help you get ready.

1. Explore your
options

The best time to do this is when symptoms are still responding to medications. Begin by finding a Movement Disorder Specialist—a neurologist with special training in treating movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, and by confirming you have health coverage for DBS surgery. Then you'll be ready to take advantage of all your options when it gets harder to control your symptoms.

2. Have a DBS surgery
evaluation

In this stage, you'll go through a thorough series of screenings to ensure that you're a good candidate for DBS. These may include a neurological consult, ON/OFF testing, a neuropsychological evaluation, a general health screening, brain imaging, and routine lab work.

3. Lead implantation
surgery

The first step in the surgical process is to place the leads in the brain. During the surgery, your doctor may perform tests to ensure that the leads are positioned correctly by asking you to move your arms and legs, or make other simple movements. Afterwards, expect to stay in the hospital at least overnight for monitoring.

4. Stimulator
implantation

This is an outpatient surgical procedure that typically happens a week or two after the leads are implanted. When the stimulator is implanted, you'll be under general anesthesia, and the stimulator will be connected to your leads via the extension.

5. Programming and
Optimization

Following your surgery and recovery, your DBS system will be turned on and the stimulation settings will be customized for you. In the months after your device is implanted, you'll work closely with your care team to make adjustments to your stimulation settings and your medications to help best control your symptoms.

Why you shouldn’t wait

Research shows that the optimal time to get DBS is when your medications are just starting to become less effective, but before your medications no longer work. You’ll notice that your medicine doses don’t work until the end of the dose, or you have to start taking medication more often, or your medication begins to cause increased dyskinesia.

The sooner you talk to your doctor about it, you’ll be ready to go when the time is right and not miss the opportunity to receive DBS therapy. Once your movements no longer respond to medication, you are no longer a candidate for DBS.

Will my insurance cover DBS?

A common question for those considering DBS is whether or not it will be covered by insurance. Here are some facts you should know:

If you have Medicare, the majority of your cost will be covered
Most commercial insurers will cover some portion of your DBS procedure
A prior-authorization may be required

Boston Scientific can help determine what your insurer may require to get pre-authorization.

If you'd like assistance, please call us at 855-855-4506.

* Results form case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other case studies. Results in other studies may vary.

¹ Farris, S. and Giroux, M. (2013). DBS: A Patient Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation. Movement and Neuroperformance Center Colorado.

² Christensen, JH (2009). Life With A Battery-Operated Brain: A Patient's Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson's Disease. Minneapolis: Langdon Street Press.

DBS and Me

DBS and Me

Keep your options open.

The right time to think about DBS is before you need it

When Parkinson's medication becomes less effective, patients turn to DBS

See how DBS works

DBS is Safe

The DBS Journey^1,2

Why you shouldn’t wait

Will my insurance cover DBS?

1. Are you taking this assessment for yourself or on behalf of a loved one?

2. Tell us a little more about yourself

2. Tell us a little more about your loved one

3. Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a physician?

3. Has your loved one been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a physician?

How long has it been since you were diagnosed?

How long has it been since your loved one was diagnosed?

4. Have you experienced any of the following symptoms for five years or longer?

Select all that apply:

4. Has your loved one experienced any of the following symptoms for five years or longer?

Select all that apply:

5. You may have better or worse control over your movements depending on the time of day. For each period of the day, indicate when you are typically "ON" (good control) or "OFF" (poor control).

5. Your loved one may have better or worse control over their movements depending on the time of day. For each period of the day, indicate when they are typically "ON" (good control) or "OFF" (poor control).

6. Are you currently treating your Parkinson's disease with any of the following drugs?

6. Is your loved one currently treating their Parkinson's disease with any of the following drugs?

7. Have you been on the same medication regime for a year or more?

7. Has your loved one been on the same medication regime for a year or more?

Which other approaches are you currently using to manage your symptoms

Which other approaches is your loved one currently using to manage their symptoms

8. Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?

8. Does your loved one have any of the following conditions

9. Please fill out the form below if you would like us to contact you and keep you up to date on treatment options for Parkinson's.

DBS and Me

Keep your options open.

The right time to think about DBS is before you need it

When Parkinson's medication becomes less effective, patients turn to DBS

See how DBS works

DBS is Safe

The DBS Journey1,2

Why you shouldn’t wait

Will my insurance cover DBS?

The DBS Journey^1,2