An introduction to deep brain stimulation

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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the fastest developing fields within the neurological specialties. Even though this technique emerged only 20 years ago and had its real breakthrough as a clinical therapy around the millennium, more than 50 000 patients have already been treated with this therapy. Today, DBS is an established treatment for Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders; furthermore, other indications such as psychiatric disorders are under evaluation for treatment with this therapy. In Deep Brain Stimulation, the editors have, in 21 chapters and just over 200 pages, managed to present a well-organised summary of this topic in the form of a handbook reference guide.The first four chapters present the surgical technique used for the different targets in movement disorders. The next three chapters cover the neurophysiological techniques used for the identification of the target during surgery, followed by a chapter on programming of deep brain stimulators. Several chapters are dedicated to indications, selection of patients, and results of DBS in movement disorders, and the final chapters deal with the emerging indications of Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression.The different chapters are authored by leading international experts, and one of the strengths of this book is the balance between the presentation of the scientific facts, based on the latest studies within the field, and the personal experience and opinions of these skilled specialists. The editors and authors have succeeded in covering most of what, from a practical viewpoint, is essential with regard to DBS for movement disorders, as well as providing an introduction to the investigational field of DBS for psychiatric disorders. The text is accompanied by more than 30 black-and-white illustrations and several informative tables that provide an overview of the area and facilitate an understanding of the material.It should be emphasised that this work is of a highly practical nature—this book is an excellent guide on how to do DBS in movement disorders, while the theoretical background is limited to what is necessary for the clinical work. This practical approach is further emphasised by the editors' choice of not burdening the text with references, but instead providing suggestions for further reading.This book is enjoyable, well written, and easy to follow, and I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in a practically oriented overview of DBS. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the fastest developing fields within the neurological specialties. Even though this technique emerged only 20 years ago and had its real breakthrough as a clinical therapy around the millennium, more than 50 000 patients have already been treated with this therapy. Today, DBS is an established treatment for Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders; furthermore, other indications such as psychiatric disorders are under evaluation for treatment with this therapy. In Deep Brain Stimulation, the editors have, in 21 chapters and just over 200 pages, managed to present a well-organised summary of this topic in the form of a handbook reference guide. The first four chapters present the surgical technique used for the different targets in movement disorders. The next three chapters cover the neurophysiological techniques used for the identification of the target during surgery, followed by a chapter on programming of deep brain stimulators. Several chapters are dedicated to indications, selection of patients, and results of DBS in movement disorders, and the final chapters deal with the emerging indications of Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression. The different chapters are authored by leading international experts, and one of the strengths of this book is the balance between the presentation of the scientific facts, based on the latest studies within the field, and the personal experience and opinions of these skilled specialists. The editors and authors have succeeded in covering most of what, from a practical viewpoint, is essential with regard to DBS for movement disorders, as well as providing an introduction to the investigational field of DBS for psychiatric disorders. The text is accompanied by more than 30 black-and-white illustrations and several informative tables that provide an overview of the area and facilitate an understanding of the material. It should be emphasised that this work is of a highly practical nature—this book is an excellent guide on how to do DBS in movement disorders, while the theoretical background is limited to what is necessary for the clinical work. This practical approach is further emphasised by the editors' choice of not burdening the text with references, but instead providing suggestions for further reading. This book is enjoyable, well written, and easy to follow, and I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in a practically oriented overview of DBS.