Deep Brain Stimulation for Intractable Epilepsy

Kim, Hae Yu

Review article

Journal of the Korean Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2019;15(2):52-59.
Published online September 30, 2019.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Intractable Epilepsy

Hae Yu Kim

Department of Neurosurgery, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been demonstrated as a treatment option to alleviate patient symptoms in movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dystonia, and has emerged as an alternative treatment for medically intractable epilepsy. However, a complete understanding of the mechanism of DBS remains elusive despite recent human and non-human studies that have provided mechanistic clues. However, the procedures are similar in all disease entities although there is some difference in targets and some points. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the detailed procedures of DBS and reviews the actions of DBS on intractable epilepsy.

Key Words: Deep brain stimulation, Target, Intractable epilepsy.