The Valley Hospital's team of neurologists can provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Our leading-edge options for patients with these disorders include deep brain stimulation, which has been shown to provide significant relief for many patients with severe Parkinson's disease.

Diagnostic services include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans 
  • Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans

Treatment options include:

  • Medical therapies
  • Physical therapy (including inpatient rehabilitation and home care)
  • Treatment of related condition(s), including sleep disorders
  • Surgical treatment options

Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease

Deep brain stimulation has become a standard treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease. For patients with severe Parkinson’s disease, nothing has come close to this procedure for providing relief from symptoms and restoring independence.

Neurosurgeons at Valley have been using deep brain stimulation with excellent results. During the procedure, the surgical team uses MRI technology and neurophysiological mapping to insert electrodes into the patient’s affected brain region. The patient remains awake and responsive during the procedure so they can provide the necessary responses to ensure accurate placement. A device similar to a pacemaker is then implanted under the collarbone to provide an electrical impulse to the affected brain region, with the aim being to reduce tremors and other debilitating symptoms typical of Parkinson’s. 

Those who undergo the surgery are given a controller, which allows them to check the battery and to turn the device on or off. Batteries last three to five years and are easy to replace under local anesthesia.

Deep brain stimulation isn’t a cure for Parkinson's, and it doesn’t slow disease progression. However, for many people, it can dramatically relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, with benefits lasting five years or more.

Like all brain surgery, deep brain stimulation surgery carries risks. Patients who are interested in this procedure should discuss its risks and benefits with their physician.