Deep brain stimulation: a new treatment for Parkinson's disease

Patients suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) often experience an array of symptoms that greatly affect their quality of life. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the bilateral subthalamic nuclei (STN) has produced remarkable improvements in people with advanced PD whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with medication. We present a case report on a patient who has benefitted immensely from bilateral STN stimulation. Levodopa responsiveness, disabling motor fluctuations and dyskinesias, cognition, and concurrent illness are major factors in identifying candidates who will receive the greatest benefit.