Abstract
Patients with advanced Parkinson‘s disease are often disabled by response fluctuations and dyskinesias despite optimal pharmacological treatment. Bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus or the internal part of the globus pallidus can lead to a substantial reduction of these motor symptoms and thereby improve functioning in activities of daily living. This article aims to review some general aspects of Parkinson’s disease, the history of surgery for Parkinson’s disease, and the effects, adverse events, indications and contraindications of deep brain stimulation in advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Conflicts of interest
Johannes D Speelman acts as an independent consultant for Medtronic Ltd. (MN, USA). An unrestricted research grant was received from Medtronic Ltd. for the work group on Movement Disorders at the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. Rianne AJ Esselink, Rob MA de Bie, and Speelman received travel grants from Medtronic Ltd. to participate in scientific meetings.