The history of deep brain stimulation

Francesco Cavallieri; Eoin Mulroy; Elena Moro

doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105980

The history of deep brain stimulation

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2024 Apr:121:105980. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105980. Epub 2023 Dec 25.

Authors

Francesco Cavallieri¹, Eoin Mulroy², Elena Moro³

Affiliations

¹ Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
² Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.
³ Grenoble Alpes University, Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience, INSERM U1216, Grenoble, France. Electronic address: emoro@chu-grenoble.fr.

PMID: 38161106
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105980

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is an established and effective treatment for several movement disorders (tremor, Parkinson's disease, and dystonia), and is under investigation in numerous other neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, the origins and development of this neurofunctional technique are not always well understood and recognized. In this mini-review, we review the history of DBS, highlighting important milestones and the most remarkable protagonists (neurosurgeons, neurologists, and neurophysiologists) who pioneered and fostered this therapy throughout the 20th and early 21st century. Alongside DBS historical markers, we also briefly discuss newer developments in the field, and the future challenges which accompany such progress.

Keywords: Deep brain stimulation; Dystonia; History; Parkinson's disease; Subthalamic nucleus; Tremor.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Deep Brain Stimulation* / methods
Dystonia* / therapy
Humans
Neurosurgeons
Parkinson Disease* / therapy
Tremor / therapy