Future Directions of Deep Brain Stimulation: Current Disorders, New Technologies

CME Educational Objectives 1. Discuss current goals of translational and clinical research in deep brain stimulation (DBS). 2. Identify the clinical disorders currently being explored as new potential targets for DBS. 3. Understand in a clinically relevant manner the methodologic improvements currently in development for DBS. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical neuromodulation therapy with several neuropsychiatric applications. The US Food and Drug Administration approved its use in the United States for the treatment of refractory essential tremor (approved in 1997), idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (thalamic stimulation approved in 1997 and subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus pars interna stimulation in 2002), dystonia (2003), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; 2009). 1,2 The last two disorders were approved under a humanitarian device exception.