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Over 1.6 lakh individuals globally have benefited from Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)—a cutting-edge neurological procedure designed to manage complex brain disorders.

What is Deep Brain Stimulation?

DBS is a neurosurgical intervention wherein electrodes are surgically implanted into precise regions of the brain. These electrodes are connected via insulated wires to a pulse generator (similar to a pacemaker), typically placed under the skin near the collarbone.

The device delivers regulated electrical signals to targeted brain circuits. This helps modulate abnormal neural activity or restore disrupted brain function caused by neurological or psychiatric conditions.

How Does It Work?

• The implanted system sends mild, continuous electrical pulses to specific brain areas.
• These pulses help in stabilizing erratic electrical signals, which are often responsible for motor and cognitive dysfunctions.
• The stimulation does not destroy brain tissue and can be adjusted or turned off, offering reversibility unlike traditional ablative surgeries.

Clinical Applications of DBS

DBS has been widely adopted for treating movement disorders, especially when medications become ineffective:

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Essential Tremor
• Dystonia

Beyond motor disorders, DBS has received regulatory approval for use in certain psychiatric illnesses, such as: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Research is ongoing to explore its efficacy in conditions like:

• Severe Depression
• Epilepsy

Benefits of DBS

• Reversible and adjustable intervention
• Helps reduce motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and rigidity
• Aims to normalize brain circuit functions at both micro (cellular) and macro (network) levels
• Offers hope in cases resistant to standard pharmacological therapies