• Home
  • About Us
    • Our Surgeons
      • Donald Hilton, MD
      • Robert Johnson, MD
      • Arnold Vardiman, MD
      • Donald P. Atkins, MD
      • Christopher Bogaev, MD
      • Jordan Jude, MD
      • Colin Son, MD
    • Clinical Staff
    • Support Staff
    • Medical Center Office
    • Stone Oak Office
  • Our Specialties
  • Patient Center
    • Patient Education
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Information Release Form
  • Make a Payment
  • Contact Us
  • (210)-614-2453

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms—most commonly the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement, and walking problems. The procedure is also used to treat essential tremor, a common neurological movement disorder. At present, the procedure is used only for patients whose symptoms cannot be adequately controlled with medications.

DBS uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device called a neurostimulator—similar to a heart pacemaker and approximately the size of a stopwatch—to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremor and PD symptoms.

Before the procedure, a neurosurgeon uses MRI scanning or CT scanning to identify and locate the exact target within the brain where electrical nerve signals generate the PD symptoms. Some surgeons may use microelectrode recording—which involves a small wire that monitors the activity of nerve cells in the target area—to more specifically identify the precise brain target that will be stimulated. Generally, these targets are the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, and globus pallidus.

Deep Brain Stimulation — Neurosurgical Associates in San Antonio, P.A.

The Deep Brain Stimulation system consists of three components: the lead, the extension, and the neurostimulator. The lead or electrode—a thin, insulated wire—is inserted through a small opening in the skull and implanted in the brain. The tip of the lead is positioned within the targeted brain area. The extension is an insulated wire that is passed under the skin of the head, neck, and shoulder, connecting the lead to the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator—the “battery pack”—is the third component and is usually implanted under the skin near the collarbone. In some cases it may be implanted lower in the chest or under the skin over the abdomen.

Once the system is in place, electrical impulses are sent from the neurostimulator, up along the extension wire and the lead, and into the brain. These impulses interfere with and block the electrical signals that cause PD symptoms.

Clinic Locations

Medical Center: (210) 614-2453

Stone Oak: (210) 477-1956

Telehealth is available for select appointments.

authorization to disclose health information

Our surgeons are world-renowned in the neurosurgical field, teachers of surgical techniques to residents, providers of best practices to colleagues, while always putting the patient and their family first.

 

Medical Center Location

Texas Neurosciences Institute (TNI) Building
4410 Medical Drive, Suite 610
San Antonio, Texas 78229
210 614 2453

Stone Oak Location

V. Benson Pavilion, located with Stone Oak Methodist Hospital
1139 East Sonterra Blvd, Suite 301
San Antonio, Texas 78258
210 477 1956

Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. Powered by Ives Services
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
210-614-2453