Published in

Frontiers Media, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, (8)

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00730

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A critical reflection on the technological development of deep brain stimulation (DBS)

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Since the translational research findings of Benabid and colleagues which partly led to their seminal paper regarding the treatment of mainly tremor-dominant Parkinson patients through thalamic high-frequency-stimulation (HFS) in 1987, we still struggle with identifying a satisfactory mechanistic explanation of the underlying principles of deep brain stimulation (DBS). Furthermore, the technological advance of DBS devices (electrodes and implantable pulse generators, IPG's) has shown a distinct lack of dynamic progression. In light of this we argue that it is time to leave the paleolithic age and enter hellenistic times: the device-manufacturing industry and the medical community together should put more emphasis on advancing the technology rather than resting on their laurels.