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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Deep Brain Stimulation with Simultaneous fMRI in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2014
Use of brain MRI after deep brain stimulation hardware implantation
Jules M Nazzaro1, Kelly E Lyons, Louis H Wetzel
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. jnazzaro@kumc.edu
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to examine the experience with and safety of brain 1.5 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in deep brain stimulation (DBS) patients. This was a retrospective review of brain MRI scanning performed on DBS patients at the University of Kansas Medical Center between January 1995 and December 2007. A total of 249 DBS patients underwent 445 brain 1.5 T MRI scan sessions encompassing 1,092 individual scans using a transmit-receive head coil, representing the cumulative scanning of 1,649 DBS leads. Patients with complete implanted DBS systems as well as those with externalized leads underwent brain imaging. For the majority of scans, specific absorption rates localized to the head (SAR(H)) were estimated and in all cases SAR(H) were higher than that specified in the present product labeling. There were no clinical or hardware related adverse events secondary to brain MRI scanning. Our data should not be extrapolated to encourage MRI scanning beyond the present labeling. Rather, our data may contribute to further defining safe MRI scanning parameters that might ultimately be adopted in future product labeling as more centers report in detail their experiences.
Insights
Brain 1.5 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is safe for patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems. This study found no adverse events in DBS patients undergoing MRI scans, even with higher specific absorption rates.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a crucial treatment for neurological disorders.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed brain imaging but poses potential risks for patients with implanted devices like DBS systems.
- Existing safety guidelines for MRI in DBS patients are often conservative, limiting diagnostic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and clinical experience of performing 1.5 Tesla (T) brain MRI scans in patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems.
- To assess adverse events associated with brain MRI in a large cohort of DBS patients.
- To contribute data towards refining safe MRI parameters for DBS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of brain MRI scans performed on 249 DBS patients between January 1995 and December 2007.
- Analysis of 445 MRI scan sessions, encompassing 1,092 individual scans and 1,649 DBS leads.
- Estimation of specific absorption rates localized to the head (SAR(H)) for most scans, comparing them to product labeling.
Main Results:
- No clinical or hardware-related adverse events were reported in any DBS patients undergoing brain 1.5 T MRI.
- Specific absorption rates localized to the head (SAR(H)) were higher than specified in current product labeling for the majority of scans.
- The study included patients with both fully implanted and externalized DBS systems.
Conclusions:
- Brain 1.5 T MRI appears safe for patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems, even when specific absorption rates exceed current labeling recommendations.
- The findings suggest that current MRI labeling for DBS systems may be overly restrictive.
- Further data from multiple centers are needed to inform updated, potentially expanded, safe MRI scanning parameters for DBS patients.
