The deep brain stimulation (Deep Brain Stimulation, DBS) is a neurosurgical method involving the implantation in the brain of electrodes which, appropriately positioned and activated by a pulse generator inserted into the chest, have the task of replacing or correcting theStimulatory action of groups of malfunctioning nerve cells or degenerated due to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) or psychiatric (such as obsessive compulsive disorder) severe/advanced stages that cannot be adequately controlled with drug therapy or other approaches.
DBS surgery has been performed in clinical practice for more than 20 years, in carefully selected cases, with outcomes varying according to the pathology being treated, individual patient characteristics, and subjective response. DBS is generally considered safe, but like all surgical procedures it is not zero risk either during performance or in the long term, as complications and early and late side effects, not always predictable, related to the procedure and neuronal stimulation are possible.
