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When to Consider DBS Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain to deliver electrical impulses. These impulses help regulate abnormal brain activity, providing relief from symptoms associated with various neurological conditions. While DBS is not a cure, it can significantly improve the quality of life for many patients. Here are three signs that it might be time to consider DBS:

Medication is no longer effective

One of the primary indicators that it might be time to consider DBS is when medications are no longer effective in managing symptoms. For conditions like Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, medications can initially provide significant relief. However, as the disease progresses, the effectiveness of these medications may diminish. Some people with Parkinson’s disease may find that they need higher doses or more frequent administration, which can lead to increased side effects. When medications fail to control symptoms adequately, DBS can offer an alternative solution by directly targeting the affected areas in the brain.¹′²

Severe motor symptoms

Another reason to consider DBS is if you have severe motor symptoms that interfere with everyday tasks. These symptoms can include tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and dyskinesias (involuntary movements). These motor symptoms can become debilitating, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, and walking. DBS can help alleviate these symptoms by altering the abnormal brain activity responsible for them, thereby improving motor function and overall quality of life.³′⁴

Poor quality of life

Lastly, it might be time to consider DBS if you experience a significant decline in your quality of life. Neurological conditions can impact various aspects of a person's life, including their ability to work, socialize, and engage in hobbies. When symptoms become so severe that they affect mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, or social isolation, it may be time to explore DBS as a treatment option. By providing better symptom control, DBS can help restore a sense of normalcy and improve your overall well-being.⁵

Choosing the right DBS therapy for your Parkinson’s disease treatment

Boston Scientific DBS therapy offers numerous benefits that can provide relief from Parkinson’s disease. Its advanced technology and customizable treatment features ensure targeted symptom relief tailored to each patient's unique needs. Clinical studies have shown that DBS can reduce medication requirements by 30% and improve motor function scores by 51% one year into treatment.⁶ Boston Scientific’s Image Guided Programming technology brings a new level of personalization and efficiency to DBS therapy. Our innovative technology makes it easier to personalize therapy today and adapt as patients' needs change. In a recent clinical study, 84% of patients experienced motor quality of life improvements after being re-programmed with Image Guided Programming.⁷

Is DBS the right solution for you?

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References:

1. Deep Brain Stimulation – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/deep-brain-stimulation/about/pac-20384562.

2. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): What It Is, Purpose & Procedure. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21088-deep-brain-stimulation

3. When to Start Learning About Deep Brain Stimulation. https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/when-to-learn-about-dbs/.

4.  Considering Deep Brain Stimulation - Parkinson's Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/deep-brain-stimulation.

5.  Deep Brain Stimulation - Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/deep-brain-stimulation.

6. Vitek JL, Jain R, Chen L, et al. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation with a multiple independent constant current-controlled device in Parkinson’s disease (INTREPID): a multicenter, double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled study. Lancet Neurology. 2020;19(6):491‐501. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30108-3

7. Torres V et al. Image-Guided Programming Deep Brain Stimulation Improves Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 10, 29 (2024). ​N=31.

Indication for Use: The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation Systems are indicated for use in:
-Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.
-Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.
-Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability. 
-Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

The Boston Scientific Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System is indicated for use in:
-Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).  The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established.  Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems.  Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited.  You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels.  High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue.  Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement.  Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping.  If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately.  Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced.  The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution.  It is unknown if the device may hurt an unborn baby. Your doctor may be able to provide additional information on the Boston Scientific DBS Systems.  For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.