Patients who suffer from Parkinson's Disease may be candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997. With DBS, a surgically implanted medical device delivers controlled electrical stimulation to targeted areas of the brain, similar to a cardiac pacemaker. The goal is to reorganize the abnormal brain signals that cause disabling motor symptoms.
DBS is a very effective treatment for some--but not all--persons with PD. Discuss whether you are a good candidate for DBS with the movement disorder specialist on your care team.
Finding A Movement Disorder Specialist in Northern California
If you live in Northern California, contact the APDA Information & Referral Center at Stanford for a referral to a movement disorder specialist near you. A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist with special training in Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders.
Short DBS Overviews
A Stanford Neurosurgeon Answered Questions about Deep Brain Stimulation
Published by Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, June 24, 2020
Stanford’s Parkinson’s Community Outreach Program hosts a quarterly deep brain stimulation (DBS) support group meeting for those wanting to learn more about this surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The June 2020 meeting featured Dr. Daniel Kramer, a neurosurgeon and clinical instructor at Stanford, who answered audience questions pertaining to DBS.
Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson's: From Decision Making to Daily Life with the Device
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, June 2021
This 24-page guide provides information and tips for thinking about, undergoing, and living with DBS. It answers common questions, discusses the latest research, shares personal stories of people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones, and provides a list of questions to ask at every stage of the process. Use it to begin learning about DBS, round out what you’ve read or heard from others, or start or continue a conversation with your doctor or loved ones.
Information About Deep Brain Stimulation to Discuss With Your Doctor
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, June 2018
This to-page fact sheet explains what deep brain stimulation (DBS) is, what benefits DBS offers, the risks of DBS, who is a good candidate for DBS, and what happens during and after the procedure.
When to Start Learning about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
By Davis Phinney Foundation, May 23, 2024
This comprehensive article provides an overview of DBS, who is eligible, when DBS should be considered (you can wait too long), how DBS can improve quality of life, and ways to learn more about DBS that you may not have thought of.
Longer Explorations
The ABC'S of DBS
By American Parkinson Disease Association, June 26, 2018
In this 49-minute audio lecture with slides, neurologist Dr. Jill Ostrem explains what deep brain stimulation (DBS) is, who may be a candidate, which symptoms DBS can and cannot improve, current DBS systems, and potential future uses. The lecture concludes with a helpful question-and-answer session.
Deep Brain Stimulation: Is it Right for My or My Loved One?
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, June 21, 2021
In this one-hour webinar experts discuss who should consider deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure for Parkinson’s. We cover how the procedure works, what someone may expect after the surgery and the latest advancements in DBS research.
I Decide DBS
Published by University of Colorado at Anschutz, Department of Neurology
This website has 13 pages that explain what Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is, what Parkinson's symptoms DBS does and doesn't treat, the overall risks and benefits, a personalized symptom relief tool, when you should consider DBS, alternatives treatments, the evaluation process, surgery timeline, support needed before and after surgery, device options, a self evaluation worksheet, and questions to ask your medical team.
Latest Developments in DBS Surgery and Future Enhancements
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, September 17, 2020
In this 81-minute webinar, Stanford neurosurgeon Jaimie Henderson, MD, reviews what a person with Parkinson’s can expect before, during, and after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. He explains the differences between DBS systems, highlights recent and anticipated advancements in DBS technology, and concludes with a question-and-answer session.
Overview of DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) and FUS (Focused Ultrasound) for Parkinson's Disease
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, January 12, 2023
In this 81-minute webinar, Stanford movement disorder specialist Margaret Ferris, MD, provides an overview of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and focused ultrasound (FUS) as treatments for Parkinson’s disease, and compares the two approaches.
Surgical Options: A Treatment Guide to Parkinson's Disease
By Michael S. Okun, Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, Pamela Rose Zeilman, Matthew Barabas, and Teri Green. Published by Parkinson’s Foundation, October 10, 2019
This 64-page book covers deep brain stimulation (DBS), duopa therapy, lesion therapy, and focused ultrasound. It serves as a practical guide for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families who are considering surgical therapy. The book explains the decision-making process, what to expect on the day of surgery, and recovery afterward. It is designed to support discussions of surgical options with family, friends, and healthcare providers. Available as a PDF or in print by mail.
Virtual DBS Panel
By Davis Phinney Foundation, April 22, 2020
This webinar covers the what, when, why, how and more of DBS from movement disorder specialists who recommend it, surgeons who perform it, companies that make the devices, and someone who has been living with it for over ten years. Registration is required, but is free.
Read our summary of the webinar for the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Adaptive DBS
Advances in Deep Brain Stimulation: 2024 Edition
By Davis Phinney Foundation, September , 2024
In this 1-hour webinar movement disorders specialist Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, provides an overview of what deep brain stimulation (DBS) is, how it works and what symptoms DBS improves, when to consider DBS, what to expect in the evaluation process, awake vs. asleep surgical options, adaptive DBS, developments in DBS programming and batteries, safety considerations related to DBS, and more.
Device Manufacturer Info
About the Therapy DBS for Parkinson's Disease
Published by Medtronic
This is Medtronic’s main page for information about DBS therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Links direct you to further webpages with text and videos on “How DBS May Help,” "The Right Time to Start," "Getting DBS: What to Expect," "A Closer Look at DBS Surgery," personal stories and professional commentary.
Abbott's Deep Brain Stimulation Systems
Published by Abbott Laboratories
This is Abbott’s main page for information about DBS therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Links direct you to further webpages with text and videos on “How DBS Treats Parkinson’s,” “DBS Systems from Abbott,” “Living With Parkinson’s Disease,” “Hear What People Say,” and support resources for patients and caregivers.
Personal DBS Stories Online
My DBS Story
By Bev Ribaudo. Published by My DBS Story Blog
This blog details the DBS journey of Bev Ribaudo, aka YumaBev, author of the Parkinson’s Humor blog, who had DBS surgery in October of 2012 to help relieve the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. She begins with a list of things you should consider before having DBS. She then explains with some humor the DBS surgical and programming process, followed by her personal DBS story.
Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Helps Parkinson’s Patient Get Her Life Back to Normal
By Tony Craine. Published by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Fall 2016
This story of the journey to and through DBS surgery by Linda Stambaugh, or Browning, IL, describes her physical decline, her fear of the DBS procedure, a chance encounter that made her decide to go through with DBS, and volunteering at the medical school to demonstrate symptoms with and without DBS.
Jasmine’s Journey
Published by Jasmine Sturr on YouTube
This series of 28 videos (and growing) include her DBS experience, educational talks, interviews with Rock Steady Boxing instructors, and personal experiences, gastroparesis, feeding tubes, speech therapy, etc.
My Experience of Deep Brain Stimulation
Published by ABC.net Australia, December 11, 2014
This is a rather long account of a man diagnosed in 1996 at 43-years-old who was forced into early retirement as his symptoms worsened. In 2010 he underwent DBS and recalls the decision-making process and his memories of the operation, itself.
Unique Aspects of the Diagnosis & Treatment of YOPD: A Patient’s Perspective
By Steven Mike. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
This speech given by Steven Milke on February 13, 2010, describes his diagnosis in 2002 after two years of seeking a diagnosis, his development of dyskinesia and tremors that led him to consider having DBS surgery in 2007 and finally following through with it in 2009, the process, and his result.
Personal DBS Stories in Podcasts and Videos
Considering Deep Brain Stimulation: What to Know and Expect
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, July 2024
In this one-hour webinar, an expert panel of people who have undergone DBS and a movement disorder specialist share their personal stories and answer your questions on everything from how to think about having the procedure to surgery and life with the device.
Brain Surgery Live with Mental Floss
By National Geographic Channel
This 90-minute video captures an awake deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery on Greg Grindley, a veteran with Parkinson’s disease. Blending live coverage from the operating room at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Ohio, with segments that chronicle what science and medicine have historically taught us about the brain, along with what is yet to be discovered.
Purchase the full program for $19.99.
Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson's Disease
By the Veteran's Administration
This ten-minute video alternates between an interview with a young man who elected to have deep brain stimulation (DBS) and his wife, with doctors explaining how a DBS unit is implanted, the benefits of DBS, possible complications of DBS surgery and the programming process.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease
By Attitude Live, July 26, 2016
In just 27-minutes we follow Andy McDowell, a 48-year-old marketing consultant, husband and father to two young girls with early onset Parkinson’s disease, in the lead-up to his first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. When switched on, wires deeply embedded in his brain help him regain some control of his body.
Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery to treat Parkinson’s Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital
By Mount Sinai Health System, April 18, 2013
This 19-minute video shows DBS surgery on Michael Toscano, a retired New York City police officer who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1997 at 34-years-old. His first DBS electrodes were removed for medical reasons, although it was very effective, so this is his second DBS surgery.
Living With Parkinson’s: Sandra Ransel’s Story of DBS
By Vegas PBS Documentaries, January 8, 2015
In this 26-minute video, we meet Dr. Sandra Ransel, a Las Vegas high school principal diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 20 years ago, and follow her as she undergoes DBS to help her manage her condition.
People with Parkinson's Share their Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Stories
By Davis Phinney Foundation, December 13, 2023
In this 80-minute episode of the Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF) Parkinson's Podcast, DPF Education Coordinator, Melani Dizon, interviews six people with Parkinson’s who’ve had DBS. They discuss how to begin the process, how to talk to your family and friends about DBS and your hopes and concerns about it, what to expect during the evaluation process, what the surgery is really like, what recovery is like and what kind of support you might need, challenges of programming your device and the joy that comes when you get it right, myths, challenges, and DBS victories.
Tomorrow Edition Blog, Collection of Videos on DBS
By Benjamin Stecher, Tomorrow Edition Blogger and person with young-onset PD
In this collection of eight videos, Benjamin Stecher shares his personal DBS journey along with interviews he's done over the years with DBS neurosurgeons and researchers. Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2013 at age 29. He knew no one with PD and little about the disorder, so he began researching PD on the internet, eventually contacting movement disorder specialists, neurosurgeons, PD, and DBS researchers directly. He interviewed them and started the Tomorrow Edition blog to share his interviews and the latest research on Parkinson's Disease.
Last updated August 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.