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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Neurological Surgery

Deep Brain Stimulation

medical illustration showing how deep brain stimulation is given to a patient. a pulse generator sits on the collarbone, with a connecting wire leading to electrodes implanted in the brain.Deep brain stimulation is an FDA-approved treatment for movement disorders such as Parkinson disease, essential tremor, epilepsy and dystonia, and psychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. More than 250,000 people worldwide have undergone the procedure.

During the deep brain stimulation procedure, electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain associated with a particular disease. A programmable electrical stimulator, like a cardiac pacemaker, is then placed in the chest and delivers electric pulses to the target brain region to help regulate abnormal movements. The minimally invasive surgery can be performed either awake or under anesthesia and is tailored to patient preferences.

The procedure has been performed at the Indiana University School of Medicine since 1997 by stereotactic and functional neurosurgery specialists in the Department of Neurological Surgery in collaboration with movement disorder specialists and epilepsy specialists in the Department of Neurology. The interdisciplinary deep brain stimulation clinical team is comprised of adult and pediatric neurosurgeons, movement disorders neurologists, a neurophysiologist, neuropsychologists, and Indiana University Health advanced practice providers and registered nurses, constituting one of the biggest groups in the United States. 

Each patient’s treatment plan is customized specifically to their health needs and preferences. A full range of novel advancements in deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound and other technologies are available.

Patients interested in deep brain stimulation surgery are first evaluated by neurologists and neuropsychologists. Evaluations include video examination off and on medications and brain imaging tests, including MRI and CT scans. Following these evaluations, patients who are eligible for deep brain stimulation surgery then meet with the functional neurosurgeons to discuss surgical options. 

Seeking a Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation?

Patients and providers interested in the deep brain stimulation program should contact the nurse telephone line at 317-963-2793 to schedule an appointment with Indiana University School of Medicine specialists.

Deep Brain Stimulation Faculty

9430-Delima, Sarah Isis Sarah Isis R. Delima, MD

Sarah Isis R. Delima, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology

13124-James, Christopher Christopher W. James, MD

Christopher W. James, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology

68125-Larrew, Thomas Thomas W. Larrew, MD

Thomas W. Larrew, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

69266-Noor, Sohail Sohail Noor, PhD

Sohail Noor, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

52064-Owens, Ty Ty Owens, PhD

Ty Owens, PhD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology

67458-Purger, David David A. Purger, MD, PhD

David A. Purger, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

68340-Schwalb, Jason Jason M. Schwalb, MD

Jason M. Schwalb, MD

Betsey Barton Professor of Neurological Surgery

15128-Witt, Thomas Thomas C. Witt, MD

Thomas C. Witt, MD

Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery

13621-Wojcieszek, Joanne Joanne M. Wojcieszek, MD

Joanne M. Wojcieszek, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology

20151-Zauber, S. Elizabeth S. Elizabeth Zauber, MD

S. Elizabeth Zauber, MD

Professor of Clinical Neurology