[Deep brain stimulation therapy: control of human brain function by chronically implanted electrodes].

Abstract

During the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that deep brain stimulation(DBS) is useful for controlling various neurological disorders, including intractable pain and involuntary movements. The development of an implantable and programmable pulse-generator has greatly facilitated the clinical application of DBS therapy. The history and clinical data of DBS therapy currently available from the literature, together with our own cases treated by DBS, are reviewed. DBS therapy has many advantages over conventional neuroablative therapies, including reversibility of the procedure, controllability and relative selectivity of the effects, and possible plastic effects on neural function. Further evolution of the stimulation system, such as through integration with neuromonitoring devices, would open up a new field of restorative neurology and neurosurgery.