DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A REVIEW OF EFFECTIVENESS, RISKS, AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most effective surgical interventions for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), particularly Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the technique originated in the 1950s and 1960s to treat chronic pain and psychiatric disorders, modern advancements targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) regions have proven highly successful in mitigating akinesia, tremor, and other debilitating motor symptoms of PD. Despite being minimally invasive, the surgical procedure carries risks of acute complications, including hemorrhages, strokes, and infections. Furthermore, long-term follow-up studies have revealed potential adverse effects, such as weight gain, axial symptoms, speech impairment, and neuropsychiatric changes. These outcomes underscore the imperative for a multidisciplinary approach, rigorous patient screening, and personalized treatment selection to minimize risks and improve patients' quality of life. This comprehensive review synthesizes the historical development, technical evolution, and current clinical applications of DBS. A literature search of Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted using relevant keywords and synonyms, including "deep brain stimulation", "neurodegenerative diseases", "Parkinson's disease", "subthalamic nucleus stimulation", "globus pallidus", "complications", and "side effects". We evaluated original research, review articles, and meta-analyses on DBS in NDDs, specifically PD, published primarily between 2015 and 2025. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, neurodegeneration, deep brain stimulation, subthalamic nucleus, tremor, globus pallidus, substantia nigra.