Deep Brain Stimulation

One of the most revolutionary and even life-saving treatment options for patients with movement disorders or epilepsy is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

The Ayer Neuroscience Institute has a dedicated team of neurosurgeons with advanced training in DBS and decades of experience who regularly perform this surgical procedure that dramatically decreases symptoms and restores movement and quality of life.

Our Deep Brain Stimulation Program began in 2017 and within four years, our results placed us in the top 7.5 percent of all DBS implanting centers in the country. One hundred percent of our movement disorder patients report improvement in their primary symptom.

Within 5 years, our level of experience ranks in the top 4.8% of all DBS implanting centers in the nation, as per current data from one of the global leaders in deep brain stimulation therapy.

Your neurologist will talk to you about whether DBS is an option for you.

 

How Deep Brain Stimulation Works

DBS involves implanting electrodes in your brain that connect to a pacemaker-like battery implanted in your chest. Electrical impulses are sent from the battery to stimulate a targeted area in your brain, altering activity there and stopping unwanted movement.

DBS is different from other surgical procedures used to treat epilepsy and movement disorders because it does not destroy brain tissue. The stimulation level can also be adjusted and the procedure is completely reversible if necessary.

Two separate surgical procedures are needed to launch DBS therapy. In the first, neurosurgeons implant electrodes into a predetermined part of your brain. A few weeks later, in a second surgery, they implant the battery-powered device in your chest and connect the electrodes to the device with a thin wire.

About a month later in an office visit, your neurologist will program the battery-powered device. You may need several programming sessions to find the best level of stimulation to relieve your symptoms.

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Attend an upcoming webinar

Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

In this FREE virtual info session, join Sarah Zurek, RN, BSN, Deep Brain Stimulation Program Coordinator to learn about DBS as a treatment option for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia. Q&A will follow the presentation.

Details & Registration

Deep Brain Stimulation Care Team

Ayer specialists from the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center and Epilepsy Center collaborate with the neurosurgeons and other specialists at the Deep Brain Stimulation Program to ensure a safe experience for you.

Our DBS program team includes:

Our DBS specialists include:

Bortan, Elena, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
100 Perkins Farm Drive Suite 102
Mystic, CT 06355
Offers Video Medicine
Caruso Meade, Jennifer Ann, PsyD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
Neuropsychology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
35 Talcottville Road Suite 6
Vernon, CT 06066
Offers Video Medicine
Dagostine, Michelle, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
280 South Main Street Suite 102
Cheshire, CT 06410
Offers Video Medicine
Dawson, Michael Jerome, PA-C
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
The Ayer Neuroscience Institute
55 Meriden Avenue Suite 3G
Southington, CT 06489
More Locations
  • 201 North Mountain Road Suite 201
    Plainville, CT 06062
  • 100 Grand Street Suite W1
    New Britain, CT 06050
Offers Video Medicine
de Marcaida, Joy Antonelle, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
35 Talcottville Road Suite 6
Vernon, CT 06066
Offers Video Medicine
Dorfman, Benjamin, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.8 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
280 South Main Street Suite 102
Cheshire, CT 06410
More Locations
  • 80 South Main Street Suite 202
    Winsted, CT 06098
Offers Video Medicine
Fiske, Heather, PA-C
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
5 / 5
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group at Hartford Hospital Department of Neurosurgery
85 Seymour Street Suite 1003
Hartford, CT 06106
More Locations
  • 100 Hazard Avenue Suite 101
    Enfield, CT 06082
Offers Video Medicine
Kanchana, Sulada, MD, PhD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.6 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
35 Talcottville Road Suite 6
Vernon, CT 06066
Offers Video Medicine
Khaled, Mohamad, MD, FAANS, FACS
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.8 / 5
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group at Hartford Hospital Department of Neurosurgery
85 Seymour Street Suite 1003
Hartford, CT 06106
More Locations
  • 100 Hazard Avenue Suite 101
    Enfield, CT 06082
Offers Video Medicine
Lahrmann, Jeffrey Philip, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
35 Talcottville Road Suite 6
Vernon, CT 06066
More Locations
  • 80 South Main Street Suite 202
    Winsted, CT 06098
Offers Video Medicine
Machado, Duarte Goncalves, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
280 South Main Street Suite 102
Cheshire, CT 06410
Offers Video Medicine
Meytin, Leon, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
623 Newfield Avenue
Stamford, CT 06905
More Locations
  • 2660 Main Street Suite 219
    Bridgeport, CT 06606
Offers Video Medicine
Moro De Casillas, Maria Luisa, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.9 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
100 Perkins Farm Drive Suite 102
Mystic, CT 06355
More Locations
  • 79 Retreat Avenue 2nd Floor
    Hartford, CT 06106
Offers Video Medicine
Owen, Randall Lee, PA-C
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.7 / 5
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
The Ayer Neuroscience Institute
35 Talcottville Road Suite 5
Vernon, CT 06066
Offers Video Medicine
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
The Ayer Neuroscience Institute
35 Talcottville Road Suite 5
Vernon, CT 06066
Offers Video Medicine
Tokarz, Sharon, PA-C
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
Neurosurgery
HHC Institute
The Ayer Neuroscience Institute at Hartford Hospital
85 Seymour Street Suite 1019
Hartford, CT 06106
Offers Video Medicine
Urval, Nikita, MD
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
4.8 / 5
Neurology
HHC Institute
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center
623 Newfield Avenue
Stamford, CT 06905
Offers Video Medicine

Ayer Neuroscience Institute