Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure in which thin electrode leads are implanted into specific deep brain targets and connected to a subcutaneous implantable pulse generator (IPG), which delivers continuous electrical stimulation to modulate abnormal neural circuit activity. DBS has transformed the management of movement disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, and is increasingly used for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

At SilverOak Health, DBS surgery is performed by specialist neurosurgeons under local anaesthesia in an awake craniotomy setting, allowing real-time neurological assessment during lead placement to optimise targeting accuracy. Intraoperative microelectrode recording maps the electrophysiological landscape of the target nucleus — typically the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus internus for Parkinson's disease, or the ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus for essential tremor — confirming the optimal implantation site before the permanent lead is secured.

Post-implantation programming by our specialist DBS neurologist optimises stimulation parameters — amplitude, frequency, pulse width, and contact configuration — to maximise symptom benefit while minimising stimulation-related side effects. Programming sessions typically occur at one, three, and six months post-implantation, with annual reviews thereafter. Rechargeable IPG systems with battery lives of up to 25 years eliminate the need for frequent battery replacement procedures. Our DBS programme is supported by a multidisciplinary movement disorder team including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and neuropsychology, ensuring comprehensive functional optimisation alongside the technological benefits of stimulation.