Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2026
Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
Directional Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation: An Initial Report of Safety, Tolerability, and Effectiveness
Martijn Beudel1, Todd M Herrington2, Simon Little3
1Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Background:
Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is a safe and effective therapy for people with Parkinson's disease (PWP). Utilization of directional aDBS has not been specifically evaluated.
Objectives:
The goal is to report the first data on the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effectiveness of chronic, directional aDBS in PWP.
Methods:
A supplemental cohort from the Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson's Disease Trial received directional aDBS. Participants who were previously receiving stable continuous directional DBS (dDBS) completed an open-label evaluation of two aDBS modes.
Results:
Seventeen participants were enrolled, with 15 completing directional aDBS evaluation. The prespecified primary endpoint and post hoc success criterion was met for both directional aDBS modes. On-time without troublesome dyskinesia was increased, with a median of 1.2 hours/day in directional dual threshold aDBS mode. Stimulation-related events were similar between dDBS and directional aDBS. All 15 participants chose to continue with directional aDBS chronically.
Conclusions:
Preliminary data indicates chronic directional aDBS is feasible, tolerable, effective, and safe in PWP. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
