Benefits and Risks – DBS Therapy

Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy may reduce some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.¹ DBS does not cure the underlying condition. If the therapy is discontinued, your symptoms will return.

Benefits

DBS has been proven to reduce some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.¹

Medtronic DBS Therapy is currently approved to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia,* and obsessive-compulsive disorder.* Since 1997, more than 80,000 patients worldwide have benefited from Medtronic DBS Therapy.²

Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy is:

Effective – When used in combination with medications, Medtronic DBS Therapy may improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease by increasing "on" time without dyskinesias as much as 5 hours per day.¹
Long Lasting – In another study, Medtronic DBS Therapy was shown to improve motor symptoms at 5 years.³
Adjustable – Stimulation parameters can be set by your clinician to meet your specific needs.
Reversible – Unlike other surgical treatments, DBS Therapy does not involve the removal of any part of your brain. The Medtronic DBS system may be turned off or removed.

Risks

Risks of DBS Therapy can include risks of surgery, side effects, or device complications. Implanting the neurostimulator system carries the same risks associated with any other brain surgery.

Your doctor can provide more information about these and other potential risks and side effects. Many side effects related to stimulation can be managed by adjusting the stimulation settings. Several follow-up visits may be needed to find the best stimulation settings.

DBS Therapy requires brain surgery. Risks of brain surgery may include serious complications such as coma, bleeding inside the brain, seizures and infection. Some of these may be fatal. Once implanted, the system may become infected, parts may wear through your skin, and the lead or lead/extension connector may move. Medtronic DBS Therapy could stop suddenly because of mechanical or electrical problems. Any of these situations may require additional surgery or cause your symptoms to return.

Medtronic DBS Therapy may cause worsening of some motor symptoms associated with your movement disorder, and may cause speech and language impairments. Stimulation parameters may be adjusted to minimize side effects and attain maximum symptom control. In patients receiving Medtronic DBS Therapy, depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide have been reported. Occurrence of “fall” has also been reported in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

*Humanitarian Use Device: The effectiveness of this device for the treatment of dystonia or obsessive-compulsive disorder has not been established.

References

Medtronic DBS Therapy for Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor Clinical Summary, 2009.
Data on file at Medtronic, Inc.
Krack P, Bator A, Biercom N, et al. Five-year follow-up of bilateral stimulation of subthalamic nucleus in advanced Parkinson's disease. New England Journal of Medicine. November 2003;349(20):1925-1933.

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Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 3 Jan 2012