MRI Guided (asleep) DBS

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Select patients with Parkinson’s are at times unable to participate in traditional DBS. The necessity of stopping Parkinson’s medication preoperatively is often greatly debilitating and the anxiety associated with participation in surgery is prohibitive of a meaningful patient-surgeon interaction. MRI guided DBS is a surgical procedure that allows for placement of stimulating electrodes while the patient is fully anesthetized. The ClearPoint surgical navigation system is used in conjunction with live MRI guidance at the time of surgery. This method assures accurate lead placement and obviates the need for microelectrode recording or real-time patient feedback. The movement disorder program at New Jersey Brain and Spine is one of the few centers offering this novel method for treating medically intractable Parkinsonism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MRI-Guided (Asleep) DBS

Who is a candidate for MRI-guided asleep DBS?

MRI-guided asleep DBS may be an option for appropriate patients with Parkinson’s disease who are candidates for deep brain stimulation. It can be particularly beneficial for patients who have difficulty tolerating medication withdrawal or who prefer not to remain awake during electrode placement.

Do I have to be awake or stop my medication for asleep DBS?

With asleep DBS, the stimulating electrodes are placed while you are under general anesthesia, so awake testing and patient feedback during electrode placement are not required. Unlike traditional awake DBS, the procedure may also avoid the need for an extended medication washout before surgery.

How is accurate electrode placement ensured if I'm asleep?

The ClearPoint navigation system uses real-time MRI guidance to help the surgeon plan, guide, and confirm electrode placement during the procedure. This allows precise targeting without relying on microelectrode recording or real-time patient feedback.

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