The Adjunct Therapy of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to Treat Parkinson’s Disease

Authors

Brianna N. Grant, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Neurosurgery

Advisor

Lloyd Zucker, MD

Abstract

Due to advances in medicine, life expectancy has increased over the years, which has led to more disease processes becoming more evident, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this article is to educate the audience about the adjunct treatment available for Parkinson’s disease that can drastically change the life of the patient and their loved ones. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) was first utilized in the late 1980s as adjunctive therapy for PD. A patient can be referred, by their Neurologist, to a Neurosurgeon, for evaluation for DBS implantation that can alter their symptoms of tremors, gait disturbance, dyskinesias/dystonia, muscle rigidity, etc. DBS is not here to eliminate the gold standard, but to be utilized as an adjunct therapy to treatment of the disease.

Recommended Citation

Grant BN. The Adjunct Therapy of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to Treat Parkinson’s Disease. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).