SURGICAL CLEARANCE

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is a type of brain surgery that involves the implantation of a medical device known as a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. DBS in targeted brain regions has offered therapeutic benefits for treatment-resistant movement and affective disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and chronic pain.

Because DBS surgery can potentially worsen memory loss, a neuropsychological assessment is often necessary as part of the pre-surgical clearance process. This ensures that the patient does not suffer from dementia, which could be exacerbated by DBS surgery.

As part of the DBS pre-surgical protocol, the patient will participate in a one-hour interview to ensure they fully understand what the DBS surgery involves, including its risks and benefits (click here for a comprehensive overview of what DBS entails). Following the interview, the patient will undergo neuropsychological testing to evaluate their cognitive status. The resulting report is then promptly sent to the referring physician, typically a neurologist, and the neurosurgeon.