The procedures are named according to where the location of the tip of the electrode is in the brain. Have a diagnosis of idiopathic PD and not parkinsonian syndrome like Shy-Drager syndrome, PSP, etc. Must have a good response to levodopa and continue to have a good response. In some parkinsonian syndromes the patients might have a good response to levodopa initially which might be lost. Patients who cannot tolerate levodopa due to adverse effects.
Patients have disabling motor fluctuations or dyskinesias.
Patients have tried presently available medications for PD and either continue to be disabled or cannot tolerate the medications due to side effects. Patients should not have memory impairment. Patients usually undergo formal memory testing before surgery. Patients should not have pacemaker. Patients are in otherwise good health to be able to tolerate the duration of surgery and programming.