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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Deep Brain Stimulation with Simultaneous fMRI in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2014
Wide-bore 1.5 T MRI-guided deep brain stimulation surgery: initial experience and technique comparison
Karl A Sillay1, Deborah Rusy2, Laura Buyan-Dent3
1University of Wisconsin, Department of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering, Madison, WI, USA; Semmes-Murphey Clinic, Memphis, TN, USA; University of Tennessee Department of Neurosurgery, Memphis, TN, USA; University of Tennessee Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Magnetic resonance image (MRI)-guided deep brain stimulating (DBS) electrode implantation in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is safe. This initial experience shows promise for MRI-guided DBS in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Traditional subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulating (DBS) surgery relies on frame-based stereotaxy and microelectrode recording.
- Advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer potential for improved surgical guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the initial experience with MRI-guided STN DBS electrode implantation.
- To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a novel MRI-guided DBS procedure.
Main Methods:
- Ten Parkinson Disease (PD) patients underwent bilateral STN DBS electrode implantation using MRI guidance.
- A dedicated intraoperative MRI suite with a wide-bore system was utilized.
- Commercially available trajectory guidance system with an MR-visible device and iterative MRI scans was employed.
Main Results:
- Twenty electrodes were successfully implanted in the STN across ten patients.
- The procedure demonstrated safety, with all electrodes accurately placed.
- Surgical procedure time showed improvement with increasing experience.
Conclusions:
- Initial experience confirms the safety of MRI-guided DBS for STN targeting.
- This technique sets the foundation for future research combining MRI guidance with physiological monitoring.
- Further studies are needed to compare the efficacy of MRI-guided DBS with traditional frame-based stereotaxy.

