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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models
Published on: August 12, 2018
Mechanisms of deep brain stimulation
Todd M Herrington1, Jennifer J Cheng2, Emad N Eskandar3
1Nayef Al-Rodhan Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and therrington@mgh.harvard.edu.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) treats movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. Its effectiveness stems from multiple mechanisms, including electrical, neurochemical, and network effects, inspiring new therapeutic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a primary treatment for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.
- DBS is also used for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse mechanisms underlying DBS efficacy.
- To explore how understanding these mechanisms can drive innovation in DBS therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on DBS mechanisms.
- Analysis of electrical, neurochemical, network, and cellular effects of DBS.
- Discussion of condition- and target-specific variations in DBS mechanisms.
Main Results:
- DBS acts through multiple, non-exclusive mechanisms, not a single unifying one.
- Mechanisms include local/network electrical and neurochemical effects, oscillatory activity modulation, synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection, and neurogenesis.
- The relative importance of these mechanisms varies by disorder and stimulation target.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of DBS mechanisms is crucial for advancing its therapeutic applications.
- Knowledge of these mechanisms is guiding the development of next-generation DBS approaches for improved patient outcomes.
