Deep Brain Stimulation | The NeuroMedical Center | Serving Louisiana

The NeuroMedical Center Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Team

Life-Changing DBS Surgery

The NeuroMedical Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake, offers Baton Rouge’s first and only Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) program for patients living with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Since 2007, The NeuroMedical Center’s movement disorder neurologists and neurosurgeon have performed over 400 LIFE-CHANGING DBS surgeries. These are some of our favorite DBS patient success stories:

Nina’s Essential Tremor Story

Mr. Castilaw’s Transformation

Clinton H. Before & After

Larry’s DBS Transformation

Cynthia’s Success Story

Cathy’s New Life 

What is Deep Brain Stimulation?

How DBS Works

DBS is a surgical procedure that can treat the disabling neurological symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. In this 50 minute presentation, DBS specialists Dr. Gerald J. Calegan and Dr. Paul J. Waguespack explain DBS surgery in great detail.

Surgery

There are two parts to the DBS surgery performed by a neurosurgeon: implanting very thin wires (leads) in the brain and placing the pacemaker-like device, called the neurostimulator, under the skin of the chest.

  • The leads will deliver electrical signals from the neurostimulator to the brain
  • The neurostimulator will create the electrical pulses that help control symptoms of Parkinson’s and Essential tremor

Because the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa, DBS is commonly performed on both sides of the brain.

Programming

A few weeks after your surgery, your neurologist will turn your neurostimulator on for the first time:

  • A programming device will be used to program the neurostimulator and adjust settings
  • You will be trained on how to turn the system on and off, how to check the battery, and how to adjust the stimulation within options programmed by your doctor.

Once the neurostimulator is turned on and programmed, electrical pulses will block the faulty nerve signals causing tremor, slowness, stiffness, rigidity, and other symptoms almost instantaneously.  Successful DBS allows people to potentially reduce their medications and greatly improve quality of life.

Take Control of Parkinson's and Essential Tremor Symptoms

For many people, DBS makes a difference when even small tasks have become challenging. DBS Therapy helps some people stay as independent as possible and keep doing the activities they love.  Good movement control with DBS makes it easier to do everyday things like writing, bathing and dressing, and drinking and eating.

  • DBS treats tremor as well as other movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including slowed movement (bradykinesia) and stiffness (rigidity)
  • DBS may reduce your need for Parkinson’s medication, along with medication-related side effects like unintended movements
  • DBS can be wirelessly programmed to best control your symptoms
  • DBS will not reduce your future therapy options. It is reversible and the system can be removed. You can continue medications and take advantage of new treatments, or even a cure.

The NeuroMedical Center's DBS Team

Gerald J. Calegan, M.D.
Movement Disorder Neurologist

B. Glenn Kidder, M.D.
Movement Disorder Neurologist

Rebecca E. Whiddon, M.D.
Movement Disorder Neurologist

Paul J. Waguespack, M.D.
Adult Neurosurgeon

When Is DBS Therapy The Right Choice?

Five key questions:

1. Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson’s for at least 4 years?

2. Are there times when medication is not helping enough when you experience symptoms?

3. Do you experience troubling involuntary excessive movements (dyskinesias)?

4. Do you typically take dopaminergic drugs (Levodopa, Sinemet*, Stalevo*, Parcopa*)?

5. After trying several drug combinations, do you experience sleepiness, nausea, hallucinations, confusion/other thinking problems, lightheadedness when standing or behavioral/personality changes?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, request a consultation with a movement disorder neurologist at The NeuroMedical Center to see if DBS Therapy is right for you.  As our area’s first and only DBS program, we take pride in providing the most advanced neurological services for our patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.

Request a Consultation with A DBS Specialist Today!