A New Lease on Life
Losing control of your movements due to Parkinson’s can leave you feeling like you're missing out on important parts of your relationships, or worse — like you’re losing part of yourself. By managing some of the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may help you regain control again.
DBS uses a small pacemaker-like device, placed under the skin of the chest, to send electrical signals through extensions and very thin wires (leads) to an area in the brain that controls movement. To give you relief, these signals block some of the brain messages that cause the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s. The Medtronic DBS neurostimulator with BrainSense™ technology* can also capture and store brain signal data directly from your implanted SenSight™ directional leads. Using this data, your physician may adjust your settings — personalizing the therapy to ensure the best possible outcome.*
DBS may help control the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: tremor, slowed movement, and stiffness. DBS therapy is not for everyone. Results may vary. Risks may include: surgical complications, infection, failure to deliver therapy as needed and/or worsening of some symptoms. See Important Safety Information.
A better quality of life
In combination with medication, DBS therapy has helped people with Parkinson’s enjoy an improved quality of daily life, compared to those taking medication alone.1
Less medication, more relief
Medtronic DBS therapy may reduce the need for other Parkinson’s medications1 and, consequently, medication-related side effects. DBS delivers therapy 24 hours a day and doesn’t wear off while sleeping. It’s already working when you wake up.
*Signal may not be present or measurable in all patients. Clinical benefits of brain sensing have not been established.
Hear about DBS from those who are experiencing it themselves.
See more DBS stories
Sign Up to Learn More
With our e-newsletter and other email updates, it is easy to stay informed as you discover more about DBS.
- Find out about the latest in Medtronic DBS technologies.
- Learn more about the window of opportunity in Parkinson’s when DBS Therapy may be effective.
- Hear stories from people with DBS and how to attend upcoming webinars.
Is DBS for me?
DBS therapy is a personal decision — one you and your doctor should make together. In general, you may be a candidate for DBS if you:
- Have had Parkinson’s for 4+ years
- Have had movement symptoms and/or medication side effects for 4 months or longer
- Respond well to Levodopa
- Have movement symptoms not adequately controlled by medication
Only your doctor can determine if DBS is right for you. Make an appointment with a movement disorder neurologist to get an evaluation.
Use this interactive symptom tracker and questionnaire to help guide the conversation with the doctor.
Looking for a DBS specialist in your area?
Use our physician finder.
Join Our Next Webinar and Ask Your DBS Questions
Sign up for our webinars to learn more about Medtronic DBS therapy from expert clinicians.
Patients should always discuss the potential risks and benefits with a physician.
Medtronic DBS Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) helps control the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including tremor, slowed movement, and stiffness. You may be a candidate for this therapy if you have had levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s for at least 4 years and at least 4 months of movement symptoms not well controlled by medications or medication side effect such as unintended movements (dyskinesia).
Medtronic DBS Therapy for Tremor: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) delivers electrical stimulation to an area in the brain to help treat essential tremor. Electrical stimulation is only delivered to one side of the body and is used to treat tremor in one arm of the body. You may be a candidate for this therapy if you have essential tremor not adequately controlled by medications and the tremor is disabling.
Placing the DBS system requires brain surgery, which can have serious and sometimes fatal complications including bleeding inside the brain, stroke, seizures, and infection. Once implanted, infection may occur, parts may wear through your skin, and the lead and/or 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 symptoms to return or worsen. Medtronic DBS Therapy may cause new or worsening neurological or psychiatric symptoms.
In patients receiving Medtronic DBS Therapy, new onset or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide have been reported.
This therapy is not for everyone. Implantation of a DBS system is contraindicated (not allowed) for patients who will be exposed to diathermy (deep heat treatment) or transcranial magnetic stimulation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) should only be performed as described in the product labeling. The DBS system may interact with other medical devices and other sources of electromagnetic interference which may result in serious patient injury or death, system damage or changes to the neurostimulator or to stimulation.
A prescription is required. Not everyone who receives DBS Therapy will receive the same results.
Rev 02/22
Medtronic DBS Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor Clinical Summary, 2015.
