Deep Brain Stimulation - Efficacy and Safety for Neurological Treatments

Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, United States

^* Corresponding author: zhifu@ucsb.edu

Abstract

Though Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been a popular technology in medicine with constantly reported innovation for many years, there are only limited studies that summarize its efficacy and safety. To compensate, this article thoroughly analyses these topics of DBS as treatments for multiple neurological diseases. Initially, the history and mechanism of DBS are introduced. Then, studies targeting different neurological conditions review the general efficacy of DBS. For traditional DBS targets like Parkinson’s Disease (PD), substantial disability rating improvements in patients of large-scale clinical reports are evidence of efficacy. Whereas for novel DBS targets like Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Huntington’s Disease (HD), evidence mainly comes from improvements in small-scale patient case studies and thus require further studies. Next, studies covering various complications discuss the safety consideration of DBS. While intra-operational (including hemorrhage and infection) and post-operational complications (including device malfunction, psychiatric impact, motor disorder, and cognitive impairment) of DBS are proven, change in patient personality, identity, autonomy, authenticity, agency, and self (PIAAAS) after DBS operation requires further information. Finally, though current DBS technique carries multiple risk concerns and needs improvements, potential prospects and solutions are explored for this potent and thriving technology.