How to Use this Guide
The Michael J. Fox Foundation developed this resource to help people and families with Parkinson’ s disease( PD) understand and navigate the complex and emotional experience of deep brain stimulation( DBS). We worked with members of the Parkinson’ s community, movement disorder specialists, a neurosurgeon and a nurse practitioner who’ s a DBS programmer to bring you a complete guide on deep brain stimulation, from how to think about having the procedure to its outcome, decades into life with the device, and everything in between.
Each section focuses on a particular period in the DBS journey— before, during and after surgery— or on an important aspect, like potential risks or complications. There are examples of questions you can ask your care team, highlights of ongoing research, stories of people and families who’ ve had DBS, and tips for loved ones and care partners.
Use this guide however it’ s helpful to you. You can skip to the most relevant parts, start at the beginning and see where it takes you, or flip to the personal stories. Our hope is that this resource helps you round out what you’ ve learned, start or continue conversations with your care team and loved ones, or feel more informed and supported in your Parkinson’ s journey.